Mikel Arteta was quick to praise Edu’s transfer team as Arsenal agreed a swift deal to sign Leandro Trossard from Brighton.
The Belgium international’s arrival was confirmed this afternoon and he’ll be eligible to play against Manchester United on Sunday.
While the Gunners had hoped to unveil Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk, the pivot to Trossard, who has scored seven goals in the Premier League this season, represents intelligent business and leaves funds available for strengthening other areas of the squad.
“It is good work from everyone at the club to complete the signing of Leandro,” Arteta told Arsenal.com.
“He is a versatile player with high technical ability, intelligence and a great deal of experience in the Premier League and at international level.
“Leandro strengthens our squad as we head into the second part of the season and we’re all looking forward to working with him. We welcome Leandro and his family to Arsenal Football Club.”
Sporting Director Edu, who oversaw the negotiations along with Richard Garlick, added: “We’re delighted to have completed the signing of Leandro Trossard. We have a clear plan and strategy for our direction, and it’s been a great team effort in bringing Leandro to the club.
“Leandro is a player who will give us a high level of quality going forward. I know Mikel and our coaches are excited to start working with him. Welcome Leandro!”
In his first interview with the club, Trossard explained how Arsenal persuaded him to north London.
“They told me they really like me as a player, that I would really suit the system and how they want to play. It helps me that I’m versatile and that I can play in different positions. They’re looking forward to working with me and vice versa. I’m really excited to work with them and I think Mikel is a top coach.
“I like to be in the pocket behind the striker. On the wings, I can explore myself as well. I’m comfortable in either of those positions but if I were to choose, behind the striker – but it all depends on the system.
“I think I’m good in 1v1s. I’m composed in the box, so if I get chances, I can finish them off. I can hopefully help the team to win tough games – I’m great in tight spaces. I’m quite experienced as well, so I hope I can bring that to the team as well.”
Welcome to the Emirates, Leandro.
The Gunners are now being tipped to complete deals for Polish centre-back Jakub Kiwior and young Spanish right-back Ivan Fresneda in the coming week.
In the post Fergie era, every team that has won the league has had a Belgian.
Wood touched!!
Liverpool ??
Divock Origi.
Origi
Good but we already had Lokonga.
A country that produces beer of the unmatchable quality of Belgium is a country of citizens to be trusted. Now… don’t mynd mi, Im juzt goin to tacke a wittle nap after vat yard glass of Golden Draak I had at lunhc….
it’s all happening!
Very good addition, ready to go and the technical quality and determination to succeed. Anyone else picking up a bit of a Santi vibe from his video packages? Glad we had some alternative solutions to The Mud…moved quick. Well done Edu, Vinny, Mikel!
Come on You Rip Roaring Gunners!
Now, let’s go and smash United on Sunday.
💪🏽
Chelsea owners, Tedd Bongo, just spotted at Emirates trying to kick the door down as he claims he can do one better. Like the humungous over the top cunt he is.
Having some interesting visuals with that last line…
Great addition, more firepower from the bench. He and Smith-Rowe can come in and freshen things up without a noticeable drop in quality.
One more astute signing in the middle (plus the imminent arrival of Jakub Kiwior – barring any brainwave from Todd Boehly), and we are well stocked for the second half battle for the EPL.
Brilliant!…like they say, one door closes, another one opens, kiss my ass Chelsea, player napping thieves😁
His technical ability in tight spaces makes him the perfect sub to bring on against a ‘low block’ like the Newcastle match.
The assumption Trossard will be a bench player might be false. He will be expecting to play in the big games as his past contributions against top teams prove he is more than worthy.
You certainly don’t want to sign a player with the pedigree he has that is going to be content coming in as a backup so certainly expect him to expect to start key matches, but he also surely knows it’s not going to happen right away with the way the team has been playing. I am sure Arteta has been clear with him on his immediate role as a difference maker off of the bench (expect him to get 20-30 minutes a game to start) and there are plenty of opportunities to start in the EL and FA Cup plus… Read more »
Expecting to play in the big games is not exactly how it works at top level clubs like Arsenal; you earn the right to play in those games. So, if Trossard wants to play in those games, he has to convince the manager on the training pitch.
Haven’t all his goals been against top six teams?
When I first heard these rumours, I was underwhelmed, but after some basic investigation, I’m now stoked for this signing. Can play across all front three positions, almost 2-footed, third highest numbers in the ENTIRE LEAGUE for balls won in the final third (such a Jesus trait and Arteta style), experienced in England and Premier League and top value at £25m. Only worry could be his attitude, but surely Arteta has done his homework on that front and I trust his judgement. I think this is a fucking great signing.
I like the prospect of signing a forward player, a left-footed CB, and a back-up right back for less money than MM would cost.
I’m hopeful that Trossard can slot in to our team and system effectively.
That said, I am not looking forward to see him exploring himself while on the wings!
He likes those tight spaces apparently
Anal.
Say what you see.
don’t we all, the older you get the harder they are to find.
Don’t forget that Spuddenham wanted him and he chose us instead.
When Jesus returns, we could have Eddie, Trossard, Smith Rowe, Tomiyasu, and Tierney on the bench at the beginning of a match. Five players who you would trust to start, something we haven’t had in a very long time.
Yup, this is exactly right.
If we can get to the point where, each game, we have 5 attacking players competing for 3 places, 5 midfielders competing for 3 places, and 6 defenders competing for 4 places – so 16 very good outfield players – we will be in a great position. I’d say that we are at 14 now, not including Vieira, so with one or two more good summer signings we should be there.
And Vieira
All hands up now lads.
Don’t mean to pee in the porridge but I’m not sold on the Trossard deal. We are the best team in the league. We have the best players, the best manager, and – this goes under the radar a bit – the best team mentality and team spirit. Trossard appears to have thrown a pretty standard issue tantrum after being benched for returning from the world cup with a distinct lack of motivation. I understand he’s a versatile talent, but do we really need to risk our exceptional team spirit with a 28 year old professional who throws tantrums. This… Read more »
Not too worried about that.
Xhaka threw his infamous tantrum and Mikel not only persuaded him to stay, but improved his game and he’s playing the best football of his Arsenal career.
My concern was offering a long-term contract to a 28 year old, wrongly assuming it would be 5 years, but it’s actually only 3.5 years and he’s only just turned 28 so he’ll be 31 when the contract finishes.
That tantrum was completely engineered. The manager was asked why Trossard refused to train and seemed genuinely surprised, saying there had been no argument. Was obviously advised by his agent to create a story. At the time I assumed he’d been tapped up by Sp*rs, but it was probably Edu.
Alot of people may disagree with a couple of those statements, and here is why….. Arsenal do not necessarily have the best players (though i love them), but we have great players who are playing excellently as a team. Spirits are high and so is confidence as you said which helps them play so well! Also Arteta hasn’t won a league yet and Pep has won crap loads in multiple leagues. However, what Arteta is doing is incredible. That doesn’t make him the best manager in the league though. Trossard seems like an excellent signing, and i love that we… Read more »
Fair points. Maybe I should have said “the best manager in the league this season”. A retrospective review of that title doesn’t really interest me, i’m focussed on us winning the league this year and Arteta’s the focal point of our chances. He is the best in the league this year by a country mile. No manager really comes close. That’s my point. Probably same distinction needs to be made about the players being the “best players this season”. Your point about them playing so well as a team is the key but individually, I still have a hard time… Read more »
Leandro seems very confident in his abilities. I was waiting for him to say he can walk on water.
Anyway, very good signing. Fuck Mudryk and Chelsea
No need for Leandro to walk on water, our number 9 already does that 😉
😅😂🤣🥲
🤣🤣🤣🤣👨🦯
Anyone concerned about his attitude problems?
No
I hope you’re right. There is so much positivity and good chemistry on this team, we certainly don’t need a head case interfering with that.
No, because he only created the spat to get his transfer, probably on Edu’s advice.