Leandro Trossard might be just enough for Arsenal to secure the Premier League title. Now 15 points ahead of Manchester City with one game fewer each week, the Gunners are getting closer and closer to the top of the league for the first time since 2003. Arsenal will still have to face City twice, but even if Pep Guardiola’s men beat them both times they will still need to earn points elsewhere during the second half of the season.
There’s no better time to add to a squad than when you’re already flying high and that’s exactly what Arsenal seem to be doing in adding Trossard of Brighton. The 27-year-old winger has been in fine form scoring seven goals and assisting two more, but after a falling out with the manager Roberto DeZerbi and on an expiring contract, it’s time for Brighton to move in a different direction, especially as the surprise top four contenders have already Kaoru Mitoma to replace Trossard.
Arsenal could have rested on their laurels and hoped the depth they already had was enough to close the gap to the injured striker Gabriel Jesus returned. It wouldn’t have been unreasonable considering the team are unbeaten since Jesus suffered a knee injury in the World Cup. Arsenal have nine goals scored in four matches so they weren’t really struggling, but rather than taking the risk they are showing their intention to bring the title to the Emirates by adding more depth. Trossard is a great option who can play on the wing, or even as a wing-back or in the middle depending on what is needed from Mikel Arteta.
It’s a presence that will help give the team more options to share the scoring burden, easing the pressure on the substitute striker. Eddie Nketiah lead the line, while giving the wingers a well-deserved rest Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka. Especially with the return of European play, the quality of the bench will be important. And the recent results do To display how Trossard can make a impact. He is the type of player who could have turned the tide in Arsenal’s 0-0 draw with Newcastle United on January 3, a match where Arteta chose not to make an attacking substitution with Takehiro Tomiyasu come for Ben White at right-back as the team pushed for a goal.
Arteta has talented players like Fabio Viera and Marquinhos on the bench but given their youth, a title challenge might not be the best time for them to play meaningful minutes. But, being a Belgium international in his own right who helped lead his side in a race for a Champions League place, Trossard is ready for the expectations at Arsenal.
It’s a smart deal and also a decision that shows how Arsenal got to this point. Manchester City don’t seem likely to make any major additions. Manchester United added Wout Weghorst but they have to offload the players even after parting ways Cristiano Ronaldo. Offering football in the Champions League is also a challenge for United, as whites, they now hold a qualifying spot, their ability to attract talent could increase this summer if Erik ten Hag can hold on to that top-four spot and officially turn things around. Arsenal, meanwhile, are all but guaranteed to be in Europe’s biggest competition next season.
Surprisingly, when all is said and done, Newcastle United, who currently sit in fourth place, could be Arsenal’s biggest title rivals, but even they will have spending problems in January to comply with Financial Fair Play. And things are falling apart on the other side of north London, with even Antonio Conte unable to turn around with Spurs. Whether Rome are serious about Nicolo Zaniolo’s January availabilitythat could be enough to put Spurs in a Champions League place, but the team are in a fragile place where one mistake can sink them.
In a season where chelsea and liverpool have lost pace with contenders, moving quickly to boost title chances is essential even if a move for Trossard is a long-term financial loss for the Gunners. The intent displayed and the added competition for players currently on the roster will make the risk of adding an absent player well worth the reward.
