Well, well, well… my hearts weeps. With the transfer market heating up, it is looking progressively more likely that the Belgian magician, our number 19, our Mr clutch Leandro Trossard is leaving the mighty Arsenal, leaving for a total of £17.2 million pounds to Turkish side Besiktas. I am taking this chance to look back and celebrate our best January signing ever.
Let me cast your mind back to January 2023, Arsenal are back in the title race for the first time in god knows how long. Arsenal are about to sing Ukrainian winger Mykhalio Mudryk for £80 million+. However, the deal falls through and we sign Brighton winger Leandro Trossard for £21 million. This in hindsight is one of the best things to happen to the Arsenal. Not only because of Mudryk scandal. But also just how reliable the Belgian winger has been for us over the years. With his stats being the following:
25/26: 50 appaerances/8 goals/ 11 assists
24/25: 56 appearances/ 10 goals/ 10 assists
23/24: 46 appearances/ 17 goals/ 3 assists
As much as these stats are very impressive, it is not the face of the stats that is what makes Leo so vital, it is the context behind them. Leo has saved us so many times it is difficult to count, in multiple different situations, including multiple different competitions (mainly premier league and champions league. These including massive goals against Porto in the UCL round of 16 match a couple seasons ago, a equalizer to make it 2-2 at the Emirates, winners against Everton (twice), Wolves, multiple goals in North London derby’s. The list of important goals that have come from the little Belgian is astonishing. And lets not forget the big one, the goal that won Arsenal their first Premier League trophy. The little Belgian has become a cult hero at the Arsenal, maybe even a legend of the club.
As a young fan who has never seen Arsenal win the Premier League trophy, the only thing I have to say to Leo is thank you for providing the best moment and feeling I have felt in football in my short 22 years, and best of luck, I am sure he will smash it wherever he goes.