Three reasons Arsenal are better off with Trossard than Mudryk

Suraj Radia

• Updated: 20 Jan 2023 16:01 GMT
• 2 min read

Leandro Trossard is officially an Arsenak player after completing a move to become the club’s first signing of the January window after missing out on Mykhailo Mudryk.

Mudryk was expected to join the Gunners following months of speculation but the Ukrainian forward ended up completing a last-gasp move to Chelsea after they bettered Arsenal’s bid to Shakhtar Donetsk.

Missing out on their top transfer target was a blow to Arsenal, who were desperate to sign the 22-year-old to add depth to their forward line, but the club moved on and struck a £27m deal with Brighton to bring Trossard to North London.

While the deal for Trossard may appear slightly underwhelming compared to the €100m approach for Mudryk, the Belgian’s signing may end up working out more in the club’s favour going forward.

PROJECTION: How Arsenal could line up with Trossard

Why Arsenal are better off with Trossard over Mudryk

1. Premier League proven

While Mudryk may go on to establish himself as an elite talent, Arsenal should prioritise players who have the best chance of making an instant impact, given how close they are to their first Premier League title in nearly 20 years.

Trossard made 116 Premier League appearances for Brighton after joining in 2019, while Mudryk has played just 65 games across all competitions in his entire career and may take some time to adapt after leaving the Ukrainian league for the first time.

With Trossard also having scored seven times already this season, the Gunners are banking on the 28-year-old picking up where he left off with Brighton and immediately contributing to their title charge.

2. WAY cheaper

Mudryk would have become Arsenal’s most expensive ever signing if they had succeeded with their huge offer for the forward, a tag which may have hindered the player if he doesn’t get off to a flying start.

The Gunners are still dealing with the blowback of their current record signing in Nicolas Pepe, whose €79m arrival in 2019 was ultimately disastrous and prompted a major overhaul of the club’s transfer strategy.

In a market that is extremely inflated, largely due to Mudryk and Chelsea’s transfer business, Arsenal are getting rare value by signing an experienced and proven Premier League goalscorer for virtually a third of the price they would have paid Shakhtar.

3. Suitable squad option

Although Trossard is expected to feature heavily for Arsenal this season, he may slowly become a depth option for Mikel Arteta once Gabriel Jesus returns from his long-term injury.

Mudryk’s high fee would likely have seen pressure for him to play most games, taking minutes away from players such as Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka.

With Emile Smith-Rowe also soon to be playing his way back into fitness, Arteta can continue to focus on his blossoming young core without worrying about stunting the development of another talent, and allow Trossard to fulfil his role as an experienced backup for Arsenal’s youthful attack.