You do not always need a colossal squad to win the biggest of prizes. Leicester City, during that remarkable 2015/16 season, engraved their name onto the Premier League trophy despite boasting back-up options such as Leonardo Ulloa, Andy King, Ritchie de Laet and Nathan Dyer.
But, with Arsenal aiming to balance European and domestic exploits – and with the fixture schedule arguably more tightly packed than ever before – adding competition for places and serious strength in depth appears to be the order of the day for Mikel Arteta’s table-topping Gunners.
Cup defeats to PSV Eindhoven and Brighton – plus that wholly unconvincing triumph over Oxford United – shone a harsh light on the rather substantial drop-off between Arteta’s starting XI and those in reserve.
The signings of Leandro Trossard and Jakub Kiwior, then, will be very well received by Arsenal supporters gripped by fear of an long-term injury to the likes of Bukayo Saka or Gabriel Magalhaes.
Arsenal complete deal for Brighton forward Leandro Trossard
Arsenal agreed a £27 million fee with Brighton for wantaway Belgium international Trossard on Thursday, some 24 hours before his official unveiling. A proven Premier League forward at the peak of his powers; Trossard comes some £60 million cheaper than Mykhaylo Mudryk, and arrives at the Emirates during his best run of form since those Genk days.
Trossard has nine goals in 16 games, scored a hat-trick against Liverpool, and brings serious flexibility to Arteta’s frontline. In contrast to Mudryk – who plays almost exclusively on the left – Trossard is also comfortable through the middle or further back in a more defensively-minded role.
“Leo’s strengths are he can run in behind the defence. He can drop in and link-up. He can dribble, and play through balls,” former Brighton boss Graham Potter told The Argus in 2021; Trossard scoring an equaliser in a 2-2 draw at Anfield while filling excellently in as a centre-forward.
Trossard’s arrival will allow Arteta to give the occasional rest Martinelli while bringing in a player of almost-equal quality on the left. The former Genk skipper should also remove some of the pressure from Eddie Nketiah’s shoulders during Gabriel Jesus’s injury-enforced absence. He can even play at wing-back, if required.
“It is good work from everyone at the club to complete the signing of Leandro,” Arteta tells the Arsenal website. He is a versatile player with high technical ability, intelligence and a great deal of experience.
“Leandro strengthens our squad as we head into the second part of the season. We’re all looking forward to working with him.”
Jakub Kiwior will cost Arsenal over £20 million
Kiwior, meanwhile, gives Arteta something he hasn’t had since Pablo Mari departed for Italy; another natural, left-footed centre-half to compete with Gabriel Magalhaes. Kiwior, TMW say, will sign a five-and-a-half year deal, while setting the Gunners back an initial £22 million.
Labelled an ‘extraordinary’ talent by Poland team-mate Robert Lewandowski, Kiwior is a typical Arsenal centre-back. Cultured, technically-gifted and comfortable playing out from the back. His 85 per cent pass completion rate is impressive. Especially when you consider Spezia rank fourth-bottom for possession in Serie A (WhoScored).
Rice, Rice baby
Looking ahead to the summer window, Arsenal have reportedly installed West Ham United captain Declan Rice as their number one target already (The Guardian). One of the Premier League’s most influential and all-round central midfielders; Rice is understood to be ‘captivated’ by the idea of joining an up-and-coming, homegrown core at the Emirates. Arsenal can also help realise his dreams of Champions League football (Independent, January 20, 1.30pm).
Granit Xhaka has only been left out of Arteta’s starting XI on four occasions this season. One of those was the 3-1 EFL Cup hammering by Brighton. It was his introduction, meanwhile, that dragged Arsenal over the line against third-tier Oxford in the FA Cup too. Rice, valued at around £80 million, would perform a role similar to Trossard and Kiwior; adding high-quality competition for places, and reducing Arteta’s reliance upon a small group of key performers.
Rice, labelled England’s ‘best all-round midfielder’ by Bournemouth coach Gary O’Neil, may have some concerns about going from a talismanic presence at West Ham to something of a squad player at the Emirates; a la Jack Grealish and Kalvin Phillips at Manchester City.
The prospect of silverware and regular Champions League football, however, looks set to offset those worries.
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