Trossard moved to Arsenal after completing a £27 million deal from Brighton on Friday and could be in contention to play against United on Sunday
By Kehinde Okeowo
Mikel Arteta has rationalised Arsenal’s decision to complete a deal for Brighton’s Leandro Trossard, in light of questions surrounding his age and professionalism.
Trossard moved to the north London club from fellow Premier League club, Brighton on Friday, after completing a £27 million deal which included add-ons.
Arsenal shifted their attention to the Belgium striker after their deal for Mykhailo Mudryk was hijacked by Chelsea and he could be in contention to face Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
However, while Arsenal fans are excited about the signing of the 28-year-old, some pundits have questioned the decision given the fact that the club made younger players their priority in previous signings.
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In fact, the last player over the age of 25 to sign for Arsenal was Thomas Partey and that was back in the summer of 2020.
But Arteta defended the decision in his pre-match press conference, saying, “It’s very simple. The squad can absorb a 28-year-old player right now.
“With the right experience, the right versatility and the right quality. And as well with the right price, for sure. And we had no questions about that.
“It is not that we had to sign 20, 21, 22-year-olds for the next five years. That is not the plan.
The former Arsenal captain said the Gunners needed a balance which Trossard and so his squad “can absorb a player of that age.”
Trossard left Brighton in a very acrimonious way and his behaviour and professionalism have been questioned especially after he was banished from training and missed several big games as he tried to force his move to Arsenal.
Some Gunners fans are worried that the Belgian could bring this to the Arsenal dressing room but Arteta does not see that happening, as he added, “‘We know the player, we obviously dig into the experiences and the personality and the relationship he had at other clubs.”
