Transfer: Real reason we signed Trossard despite his age, character – Mikel Arteta

January 21, 2023January 21, 2023 Ekene Njoku 116 Views

Mikel Arteta has revealed why Arsenal signed Leandro Trossard from Brighton.

The Spaniard gave the reasons in light of questions surrounding the player’s age and professionalism.

Trossard has moved to Arsenal after completing a £21 million deal from Brighton to the Emirates on Friday

The forward could be in contention to play against Manchester United on Sunday.

Arsenal shifted their attention to Trossard after their deal for Mykhailo Mudryk was hijacked by Chelsea.

Signing a 28-year-old Trossard has been questioned and fans have not greeted the news with as much enthusiasm as previous signings.

In fact, the last player over the age of 25 to sign for Arsenal was Thomas Partey 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 Manchester City’s assistant coach 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.

Fans are worried that the Belgium international could bring this to the Arsenal dressing room but Arteta does not see that happening, adding “‘We know the player, we obviously dig into the experiences and the personality and the relationship he had at other clubs.”