The proof that Trossard is now Arteta’s most important attacker

Arsenal’s pound–for–pound most prolific forward may not be their headline act, nor the automatic starter around whom Mikel Arteta builds his team.

He only has 12 months left on his contract, and rarely commands centre stage in the analysis of what has brought this team to the brink of a first title in 22 years.

But few players in the Premier League are as deadly as Leandro Trossard, or offer as much output for such a relatively small outlay. Whether from the bench or in the starting lineup, the £27million signing from Brighton three years ago continues to deliver decisive moments – the latest of which could be Arsenal’s biggest goal in decades.

Trossard’s strike at West Ham rescued Arteta on an afternoon in which their title hopes were so close to a hammer blow, sending them five points clear of Manchester City having played a game more. Two more wins are needed, and this is the time Arteta needs his ‘clutch’ players to stand up. Trossard, his trusted servant, is one of those – playing 122 Premier League games since arriving in January 2023, eight more than any other Arsenal player.

The Belgian’s impact began within the first 10 minutes. He had set up Riccardo Calafiori with a sublime pass, and had two headers denied: one by Mads Hermansen, and another by a post. He kept plugging away before finding space in a crowded box in the 83rd minute to tuck home Martin Odegaard’s pass.

The 31–year–old now has 12 goal contributions (six goals and six assists) in the league this season – only Viktor Gyokeres (14 goals, one assist) can beat that. And only Gyokeres (one goal contribution every 147 minutes) and Kai Havertz (every 155 mins) have had an impact more frequently than Trossard, averaging once every 160 minutes.

Leandro Trossard’s goal at West Ham on Sunday could be one of Arsenal’s most important in decades

The Belgian made it 12 goals and assists for the season in the Premier League – only Viktor Gyokeres (15) has produced more for Arsenal

The Belgian has also been aided by a solid onfield understanding with Declan Rice, which first blossomed when they were paired on the left-hand side at the end of the 2023-24 season when Arsenal came so close to beating City to the title.

This season, despite the Englishman playing a deeper midfield role, Rice has created nine chances for Trossard. By contrast, the other members of Arteta’s first–choice front four – Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Gyokeres – have created just four openings each for Trossard. It explains why Arteta fought so hard for Trossard to stay last year amid strong Saudi interest, handing him a new deal, and why Trossard is creating such a difficult decision for the club again this summer.

‘For me it was forbidden for him to leave,’ Arteta said earlier this season. ‘No chance. I know the player that he is, and surrounded with the players that we have, he’s a player that is going to make a difference for us.’

The former Brighton forward has always been one of Arteta’s key men, ever since the Gunners moved for him when Mykhailo Mudryk chose west London instead – a decision which, it turns out, has saved Arsenal more than just the £62m disparity in transfer fees. 

Trossard has 27 Premier League goals and 24 assists since joining the club – only Bukayo Saka (37 goals, 27 assists) and Martin Odegaard (26 assists) can boast better tallies in either of those categories for Arsenal in that time. 

Such output inevitably strengthened Trossard’s hand during the contract talks. The Belgian had pushed for a longer-term agreement, which was a risk given Arsenal could have pivoted and looked to sell the player, given their need to recoup transfer fees to meet Premier League financial rules.

Ultimately, however, Arteta’s persistence proved decisive, convincing the winger to stay in north London to the summer of 2027 and accept a pay rise instead.

Before signing the deal, it’s understood that Trossard had been informed he would likely continue as more of a squad option than a definite starter. Yet the 31–year–old has once again forced his way into prominence through sheer consistency and end product, earning 20 league starts thus far.

Trossard is one of Mikel Arteta’s most trusted stars, delivering once again when it matters most

He scored the opening goal in the north London derby back in November, as Arsenal ran out 4–1 winners at the Emirates Stadium

This summer it may come down to Trossard versus Gabriel Martinelli (left) for a place in Arsenal’s squad, as they may have to sell one to fund a new left winger

It’s understood that Arsenal are willing to consider offers for Trossard at the right price, largely due to the fact he turns 32 in December. Only Kepa (two months older than Trossard) and Christian Norgaard (32) are older in Arteta’s squad. And despite their strong financial position and massive Premier League and Champions League revenues this campaign, the club are looking to sell established players this summer to fund spending.

There is interest in Trossard from Italy, with Napoli a front–runner for his signature, and Arsenal have long been looking at options to bolster the left wing. But the situation is far from straightforward. A key factor is identifying who the Gunners could realistically recruit as a replacement and at what cost. Trossard is unlikely to command a fee much beyond around £20m, and Arsenal would almost certainly be shopping at the top of the market for a high–class winger to come in and make an immediate impact.

Trossard is well–liked by Arteta, who in January said the player had gone up a level every season. On contract talks, he added: ‘We are very happy with him. He knows that we’ve talked about it (contract extension) many times, and I think he’s very happy here as well.’ 

If Trossard does stay, that opens the door for Arsenal to move Gabriel Martinelli, who the club could recoup a much bigger sum for. The Brazilian has only made 10 league starts this season, but has been prolific in the Champions League, scoring six goals.

As Arsenal weigh up another summer of change, Trossard keeps making the same argument with every decisive contribution: letting him go may lose them more than just money.