Arsenal could upgrade Trossard like ‘early Thierry Henry’ for £75m

Mikel Arteta can sit in the midst of Christmas and replicate on Arsenal’s 2025 and really feel very joyful.

Sure, the Gunners did not win a trophy, however they completed second within the Premier League and reached the Champions League semi-finals, solely to be eradicated by eventual winners PSG.

The problem now could be to construct on that basis. They’ve completed a terrific job to date this season and regardless of being tormented by accidents of late, they’re nonetheless competing on the high and preventing on all fronts to finish their six-year trophy drought come the top of this season.

Whereas Arsenal’s success in recent times has been constructed on a basis of common defending, their frontline is probably extra dynamic and fluid than ever earlier than.

Bukayo Saka stays the membership’s talisman, however Leandro Trossard has thrived on the opposite flank. He was undoubtedly Arteta’s finest and most constant attacker in 2025/26.

How Trossard turned so vital to Arsenal

Forged your thoughts again to January 2023. The Gunners regarded set to signal Ukrainian celebrity Mykhailo Mudryk, however the winger ended up becoming a member of Chelsea as an alternative.

Nicely, who’s laughing now? Arsenal actually had the benefit. In its place, the Londoners turned to Trossard and introduced him to the Emirates Stadium in a deal value £27 million.

The transfer turned out to be a discount, even when Belgian opinion was divided, particularly final 12 months.

Trossard scored simply eight league targets final season and it was widely known that Arsenal wanted an improve within the aspect in the event that they have been to progress to the following stage. They’ve signed Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze, however though they’ll play on the left, their finest positions are elsewhere.

The previous Brighton man might depart the capital through the summer season however has been handed a pay rise in return, in accordance with studies. A query arose. The Belgium worldwide is presently 31 years previous. Though he isn’t previous by any means, he’s presently nearing the top of his profession.

Nicely, Trossard proved all of the doubters flawed. Within the phrases of Arsenal author Conor Hamm, he’s “arguably the very best winger within the Premier League this season”.

In actual fact, the skilled ahead has scored six targets and supplied 5 assists in 20 video games in all competitions this season, creating a lot of comebacks.

Trossard scored the profitable aim towards Fulham, got here off the bench towards Aston Villa just a few weeks in the past and scored within the 4-1 rout of Tottenham Hotspur.

Though he has had a behavior of performing effectively in vital moments since his arrival, Arteta should not ignore the necessity for long-term upgrades.

Arsenal might signal big-money improve for Trossard

Not forgetting the striker place, Arsenal’s left wing has been one in every of their problematic positions in recent times. Certainly, Trossard has attracted consideration this season, however like his positional rival Gabriel Martinelli, he has been inconsistent.

The Brazilian is a energetic and energetic participant on the wing, however his tendency to get cold and warm rapidly irritates many supporters on the Emirates.

He scored in 5 consecutive Champions League video games, turning into the primary participant in Arsenal’s historical past to attain, however Martinelli has scored only one aim in 12 league appearances.

So what could possibly be the answer? Nicely, there’s a feeling in Andrea Berta and co that they might do it with one other winger. Does anybody like Rafael Leo?

The Portuguese sensation has been linked with a transfer to north London for a while, however studies earlier this month claimed that the membership remained strongly occupied with signing the ahead from AC Milan. Additional studies even counsel he’s “very eager” to move to the Emirates Stadium if the Gunners provoke a transfer.

Reported to be value round £75 million, Leao is extensively considered, within the phrases of Como scout Ben Mattinson, “probably the greatest left wingers on the earth”.

The reason being easy. In current seasons, he has develop into a menace not solely by way of scoring targets, but additionally in creating possibilities for his teammates. In 50 appearances all through the 2024/25 season, the 26-year-old scored 12 targets and supplied 13 assists.

As for this season, the Portugal worldwide has scored six targets in all competitions, with 5 in simply 10 Serie A video games for Milan.

He’s actually a menace and a participant who’s already being in comparison with Arsenal’s greats. Former Milan supervisor Stefano Pioli beforehand advised that he reminded him of “an early Thierry Henry” due to the expertise he brings inside from a variety of roles.

In actual fact, Leo primarily performs on the left aspect, however likes to float inside and has a Henry-like lengthy stride that helps him bounce out of defenders.

Some of the enticing forwards on the planet, Leo can be probably the greatest ball carriers. Based on FBRef, his progressive carry success charge of 4.23 per 90 minutes ranked him in the very best 1% of forwards in Europe’s high 5 leagues final 12 months, and his take-on success charge of 1.71 per 90 minutes ranked him within the high 7%.

A daily within the Champions League with Milan and all the time a thorn within the aspect for full-backs in Italy, if Arsenal are on the lookout for a technique to take their assault to the following stage, Leo is their man.

Arsenal followers should be determined to have one other expertise like Henry of their ranks. That could possibly be the distinction between profitable the title and dropping it.