It sounds like we have the first signing in the new era of Absolute Arsenal in the form of Brighton’s Leandro Trossard. The key word I continue to use in conversation about this move is “sensible”. Let me explain.
While it has been clear that Arsenal’s primary targets this window have been young, exciting talent that can play across the front three, Trossard represents the kind of signing that could arguably make even more sense given our goals for this season and next. Of course the concept of bringing in yet another phenom to add to our current roster of young phenoms has the shiny new toy effect that gets our heart rates up and blood pumping, but there’s also no guarantee on how long it will take a player like that to acclimate to the Premier League and to Arteta’s system. Take Fabio Vieira as an example. We know there’s so much talent there, but it took Vieira months to even crack the lineup for these exact reasons (as well as carrying a knock into the season of course.) Vieira still hasn’t been able to earn the manager’s trust regarding a bigger role, as he needs to bulk up and get used to the aforementioned elements. Trossard represents the opposite, a player who is a known quantity, experienced in the Premier League and should be fully expected to hit the ground running with us similar to a Diego Jota at Liverpool. I think there are so many parallels to that move, as it gave them the extra option who could play across the front line and instantly make goal contributions.
The other piece about signing a 28 year old player is that Edu and Arteta have done the work to secure the future of the club. We have arrived early, there’s no doubt about that, but it is also time to fill out a squad for not just the run in this season, but also a 2023-24 season with Champions League football. When it comes to the group stages, we won’t be playing the, respectfully, minnows of the European world like Bodø/Glimt and FC Zurich where we can chuck all backups and youth players in and get a result. We are going to need a more complete squad that can compete and ensure the likes of Saka and Martinelli can be rotated. We still have work to do in this regard and I would expect at least one more veteran signing like this ahead of next season. Trossard isn’t just a quick addition to go for the league this year, but rather somebody who should be a genuine contributor for us for a few years. Given the transfer fee and wages, it’s not a game changing number that blocks current players’ development or hurts us in future negotiations. If anything, the extra few million pounds we outlay now to get this over the line strengthens our position for the next big deal. With Mudryk and Felix, it was known we desperately needed to bring in a wide player. Clubs could quote us huge fees knowing we were up against the wall. Now, we aren’t desperate! We would like another player, but we can’t be bent over by a Shakhtar who know we simply have to make a move. We don’t have to, and I could easily see that shave money off the next fee. The extra we spend now comes out in the wash overall. Again, big picture thinking.
Another element that is comforting is the understanding that this is a player we have actually been interested in for some time. Supposedly we had scouted Trossard heavily during his time at Genk, but deemed him not ready to join a club like ours and contribute in the necessary time frame. Since then he joined the Premier League, adapted to it and has been a strong player for a strong Brighton side. In 16 appearances this season he has contributed seven goals and one assist, which is nothing to be scoffed at. These are some seriously impressive numbers. He’s also done this from three different positions – left wing, central attacking midfield and center forward. His hat trick against Liverpool involved three goals with his left foot, which leads me to believe he would have no problem also playing on the right wing and cutting in much like Arteta likes the left-footed Bukayo Saka to do. In addition to his three goals against Liverpool, he also contributed goals against Man City and Chelsea. This is a player who shows up in big games. We have many of those matchups left against big sides, but there’s also going to be the added pressure of every game being make or break if we want to bring home the title.
Again, this is a sensible transfer on so many levels. I struggle to believe Trossard is a problematic person the way his new manager has tried to paint him. Arteta, as I wrote about in yesterday’s blog, would never bring in that kind of individual. The club will have done their due diligence on him as a person. Ben White was his teammate at Brighton as well and will have been able to provide insight from a player’s perspective. This is a player who knows the opportunity at hand and will be absolutely over the moon at the chance to join the current project. It’s not about to go bang, it’s gone and continually going bang. If we can get five goal contributions that could be the difference between first and second place.
With 12 more days left in the month let’s see if Edu and Arteta have another move up their sleeve. I really hope this allows the club to send Marquinhos out on loan for the rest of the season. He clearly is not going to get opportunities in the Arsenal first team this year, so let’s let him get minutes and develop. I would love a similar signing to this in central midfield, which would allow Albert Sambi Lokonga to do the same. However this shakes out, the club need to be applauded for moving quickly to get Arteta what he needs.
Lastly, a gigantic HAHA at Manchester United for leaving Casemiro on into the 80th minute and letting him pick up his fifth yellow card, ruling him out of Sunday’s mega showdown. The Olise free kick to then level it was a thing of beauty (shoutout Papa Wenger – see below.) If only Zaha could have finished off that break in the dying moments, but it has to be said just how good of a defender Aaron Wan Bissaka is. His complete game isn’t there, but as a pure defender there’s few better. What a tackle he made to save the point for United. Erik Ten Haag’s quotes after the match about beating Arsenal without Casemiro before will surely be front and center during Arteta’s pre-match chat. As if we need more motivation, thanks ETH!
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