Leandro Trossard was a bargain at £27 million with the former Brighton ace proving to be an ‘unbelievable signing’ for Arsenal, former Premier League midfielder Darren Ambrose tells talkSPORT (19 March, 6.30pm).
Hands were a-wringing in the red corner of North London when the Gunners missed out on both Joao Felix and Mykhaylo Mudryk to bitter rivals Chelsea during the January transfer window. Little did they know at the time that Trossard would end up making an impact which dwarves the both of them.
Following that hat-trick of assists against Fulham, the Belgian international added another one to his growing collection on Sunday afternoon; a typically slide-rule pass setting up Granit Xhaka’s latest strike in the 4-1 thumping of Crystal Palace.
When Chelsea spending £88 million on Mudryk – plus a £10 million loan fee for the Atletico Madrid-owned Felix – Trossard’s £27 million price-tag looks like superb value in comparison.
Leandro Trossard shining at Arsenal following Brighton exit
“Trossard; unbelievable signing,” says Ambrose, the Tottenham-supporting former Crystal Palace and Newcastle United playmaker.
“(Even at £27 million) that’s an astute signing for a player of Trossard’s ability.”
In just 10 games, the one-time Genk captain has produced seven ‘goal involvements’ under Mikel Arteta. One goal and seven assists. Considering that Arsenal first expressed an interest during his Jupiler League days, long before Trossard was pulling the strings at Brighton and Hove Albion, its safe to see one of the game’s most flexible forwards has been worth the wait.
‘Better and better’
“Remember, he wasn’t even the first choice. (Signing Trossard) has really fallen into our lap,” Arsenal legend Ian Wright tells Premier League Productions.
“But he is somebody that’s come in and he is ready to go. From the first game until now, he has just got better and better at what he’s doing.”
That shellacking of a managerless Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium means the gap between Arsenal and Manchester City now stands at eight points with ten games to play.
“(Former Brighton boss Graham) Potter came to Brussels for Leandro, with an extensive Power Point presentation to convince him. He absolutely wanted him,” recalls Josy Comhair, Trossard’s agent (HUMO).
“There were other options. At the same time, I had several conversations with Arsenal. They came to Belgium four times. Most players would have chosen Arsenal. But what would have happened if Leandro didn’t get to play? Then there is only one way out; to take a step back. People don’t realise what that does in someone’s head.
“I know Leandro. Bench him three times and he goes wild. So, we said: ‘if he does well at Brighton, he can take a step forward’.”
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