After unexpectedly losing top target Mykhaylo Mudryk, Arsenal reacted quickly to complete a deal for Brighton striker Leandro Trossard.
But who is the Belgian, what will he bring to the table and why does he cost (up to) £27m? Phil Costa reports.
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When it comes to scouting, few in recent years can match Brighton’s track record in English football. Following his promotion to the Premier League five years ago, he has signed Marc Cucurella, Yves Bissouma, Moisés Caicedo and recent World Cup player Alexis Mac Allister, from Getafe, Lille, Independiente del Valle and Boca Juniors respectively. In-demand winger Leandro Trossard also came to the club in 2019 after impressing for Genk, where former manager Graham Potter lobbied for his arrival.
And most would agree that his £15m transfer fee was money well spent, despite a rocky ending. The Belgian has been a mainstay for Brighton since walking through the gates of the AMEX Stadium, thriving in a number of different positions and was even voted the club’s Player of the Year for 2022. He leaves with 39 goal contributions (25W, 14A) in 121 appearances and more that played his part in establishing the Seagulls’ top-flight status in recent seasons.
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— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) October 1, 2022
What instantly stands out as you watch Trossard is his technical confidence. The Belgian lacks the natural pace to create separation from defenders, but instead uses his low center of gravity, his ability to manipulate the ball and his clean touches to escape pressure. Stylistically, he won’t be able to replicate the direct, hard-running styles of Gabriel Martinelli or Bukayo Saka, but he does offer Mikel Arteta more variety when he’s looking to break through deep defenses.
He currently sits in the 95th percentile for progressive passes (3.4) and passes into the penalty area (2.4) out of 90 among his positional peers in the Premier League (Opta data), while his 3.7 shares of shot creation by 90 leaves him in the 89th percentile. highlighting the more creative instincts of him.
The 28-year-old has also shown his ability to score goals without being prolific. This season alone, Trossard has scored against Manchester City and Chelsea, in addition to his hat-trick at Anfield in October. There is a touch of streak in the Belgian, but that ability to contribute in big games could prove crucial. More importantly, Trossard is extremely decisive in the penalty area with consummate technique of striking the ball with both feet and awareness to set up his teammates. He is capable of generating significant power with little back movement and likes to shoot early, giving goalkeepers little time to re-establish positioning on him.
As Dan Critchlow pointed out, the Maasmechelen-born striker has taken an identical number of shots with his left and right foot in the Premier League this season (19-19), which was also true during the 2020/21 season (28-28). ). More encouraging, his xG without a penalty of 4.4 can only be bettered by Saka from the current team, who Trossard is still outscoring by seven goals. His shot selection is clearly highly considered, most of which come from inside the penalty area, with 16 of those 34 shots hitting target this season.
He also offers Arsenal greater versatility having played at full-back, on both flanks and even as a false nine for Brighton since joining the club. While Mykhaylo Mudryk was clearly destined for an important role in this team, he has only played on the left flank throughout his career. Trossard presents himself as an important frontline cover, able to compete and ease the burden on first-choice options, while keeping in mind Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Jesus, whose additions will need to be managed after lengthy injury absences. .
Defensively, the Belgian is a hard worker but he must be stronger in direct duels (doo-ells?) to play with Arteta. His defensive performance has dropped considerably this season compared to previous seasons, whether due to training or not, but he often feels light and uncompromising when facing challenges. Alternatively, the 28-year-old currently sits fourth in the Premier League for ball recoveries (4.5) per 90, highlighting his ability to identify space and exploit trigger pulls.
Another habit that Trossard will have to curb is doing ‘too much’ in possession, especially after beating players where he often gets into trouble or gives other teammates a chance to get around him. The ‘scratch’ of him was also mentioned above – there’s a constant joke among Brighton fans that he disappears between November and March of each year, which is something to keep in mind, especially as he’s likely to play fewer minutes .
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It’s fair to say that Arsenal fans are back down to earth after the failed pursuits of Mudryk and João Félix this month. History was written: young players with skill and star quality to arrive and help secure a first national title in 19 years. Trossard may not have the same gravity, but his proven Premier League quality ticks a lot of boxes for this team and their goals.
Last January, the club opted not to sign anyone after bidding farewell to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, leaving their top four pursuers in the hands of Saka, Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah, who quickly usurped Alexandre Lacazette up front. That bet failed; letting it happen again would not be another gamble but sheer negligence. This young group is closing in on something special, but they desperately need help, before their hamstrings turn to dust after playing 90 minutes twice a week through June.
Trossard comes together with experience, a high technical level and consistent performance to help this group in possibly their last chance to impress at a big club. The recent dispute with Roberto De Zerbi deserves consideration, but the scouts will have done their homework: this was a player they were following four years ago when they bought Nicolás Pépé. Arsenal, for their part, seeks all of the above. Someone with top-notch knowledge and quality to push his attacking starlets but also to protect them during the closing stages of a ruthless schedule.
This doesn’t have to be the perfect marriage, but it is one that certainly works. After all, we are better judges of expediency than of love.
