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Arsenal News Arsenal ready bid to sign huge £71m Trossard upgrade who’s like an “early Thierry Henry” – Report
Arsenal is preparing to make a significant bid for a £71m upgrade on Trossard, who has been likened to an “early Thierry Henry” – opinion
Arsenal is targeting a formidable winger
Even though Arsenal is performing well, there are still some areas of the squad that need strengthening, particularly the left wing.
While Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli have made strides this season, and Eberechi Eze can also step in, the left side lacks a truly elite option compared to the likes of Bukayo Saka or Noni Madueke on the right, as well as the three forwards who can start when fit.
This sentiment seems to be echoed by the club, as recent reports from Spain suggest they are keen on Rafael Leão.
The report states that Arsenal is poised to make a substantial move in the winter transfer window for attacking reinforcements, with an offer of around €80m for the AC Milan star, which translates to approximately £71m.
The North London club reportedly sees the Portuguese international as an ideal addition, and Arteta is believed to be a strong admirer. However, with Chelsea, Manchester City, and several French clubs also showing interest, securing this transfer will not be straightforward.
That said, considering Leão’s talent and the fact that he has been compared to Henry, this is a deal worth pursuing aggressively, even if it may signal the end of Trossard’s time at Arsenal.
How Leão compares to Trossard
Given Arsenal’s requirement to enhance their goal-scoring capabilities, the initial aspect to examine when contrasting Leao and Trossard is their performance from the previous season.
Regrettably for the Belgian, this is where he falls short.
For instance, in 56 matches, accumulating 3455 minutes, he netted two goals and assisted ten times, resulting in an average of a goal contribution every 2.8 games, or every 172.75 minutes.
In comparison, the Milan star achieved a total of 12 goals and 13 assists in 50 matches, totaling 3499 minutes, which averages out to a goal involvement every other game, or every 139.96 minutes.
This year, the gap is narrower, but once again, the Portuguese dynamo leads the way.
In eight matches, totaling 470 minutes, he has generated six goal involvements, averaging one every 1.33 games, or every 78.33 minutes.
Conversely, the former Brighton & Hove Albion player has recorded eight goal involvements in 14 matches, totaling 832 minutes, which averages one every 1.75 games, or every 104 minutes.
However, while their output is ultimately the most significant factor, particularly for a team aiming for the title, there is also the aspect of their playing style and entertainment value.
Unfortunately for the 30-year-old, this is another domain where he is outperformed, as although his technical skills can be delightful to watch, he lacks the power and dynamism of the former LOSC Lille star.
Additionally, the 26-year-old’s capacity to retrieve the ball in his own half, challenge opposing defenders, and then slot the ball into the far corner is why former Milan coach Stefano Pioli remarked, “Leao reminds me a lot of the early Thierry Henry.”
Just envision a player capable of executing that once again wearing the club’s red and white and aiding them in breaking their two-decade title drought.
In conclusion, Trossard is a remarkable player and is currently in good form, but if Arsenal has the opportunity to sign Leao in the winter, they should seize it.
Despite dropping points against Sunderland over the weekend, Arsenal fans have plenty to be optimistic about.
Firstly, Mikel Arteta’s team remains firmly at the top of the Premier League standings, and just as crucially, they appeared genuinely threatening in the second half.
While they may have shown some defensive vulnerabilities, the Gunners excelled in their attacking play, with Leandro Trossard continuing his impressive form by scoring a stunning long-range goal.
However, although the Belgian is currently in outstanding form, recent reports indicate that his playing time could be significantly impacted by another international player who has drawn comparisons to the iconic Thierry Henry
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Arsenal player ratings vs Wolves: That was lucky! TWO own goals give Gunners dramatic late win over Premier League strugglers as Viktor Gyokeres blanks again
Player ratings
Lucky Arsenal were let off the hook in dramatic style as they claimed a 2-1 win against Wolves thanks to two own goals from the Premier League’s basement boys, with Yerson Mosquera heading what proved to be the winner past his own keeper Sam Johnstone deep into stoppage time at the Emirates. Mikel Arteta’s league leaders looked to have dropped two costly points when Mateus Mane glanced a header past David Raya with just seconds remaining to cancel out Arsenal’s opener, which had come when Bukayo Saka’s inswinging corner had struck the far post and gone in off the back of the unfortunate Johnstone.
But they somehow found a way to claim a crucial victory moments later when Saka’s ball in from the right was flicked beyond the despairing Johnstone. It initially looked like substitute Gabriel Jesus, making his first Emirates appearance in just under a year, had got the decisive touch, but replays showed it was in fact Mosquera who got his head to the ball first and inadvertently deflected it into his own net.
It was a hugely fortunate moment for Arsenal, who were poor throughout, but they will take their bit of luck, with the win moving them five-points clear at the top of the table ahead of Manchester City, who play at Crystal Palace tomorrow.
GOAL rates Arsenal’s players from Emirates Stadium…
Goalkeeper & Defence
David Raya (6/10):
Made one comfortable save in the first half to deny Hee-Chan. Swept up well and looked set for a clean sheet before Mane’s late header.
Ben White (N/A):
Awful to see him limp of with a hamstring injury early on, just as he’d got himself back in the side.
Jurrien Timber (6/10):
Started off at centre-back, but ended up at right-back after White’s injury. Comfortable night’s work for the large part.
William Saliba (6/10):
Back in the side after injury and looked quite sharp. Not tested too much until those final seconds.
Piero Hincapie (7/10):
Started out at left-back but shifted back into the centre after White’s injury. Solid.
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Midfield
Martin Zubimendi (6/10):
Replaced in the second half, neat and tidy but unable to make the sort of impact he did in midweek.
Declan Rice (7/10):
Set piece delivery was unusually poor. Put it a disappointing corner early on which set the tone for a frustrating night. Not at his best, but still probably the best player on the pitch.
Eberechi Eze (5/10):
No real impact. Was often picking the ball up deep and never really looked like hurting Wolves.
Attack
Bukayo Saka (7/10):
Probably the pick of Arsenal’s attackers, but that’s no saying much. Put in one great ball in the first half that deserved better. It was his corner that led to the Johnstone own goal and his crossed that forced the eventual winner.
Viktor Gyokeres (5/10):
Just couldn’t get into the game. Improved a bit after half-time, but Arsenal need more from him. Had one nice moment just before being replaced when he fired just wide.
Gabriel Martinelli (5/10):
His best moment came seconds before he went off when he drove into the box and curled an effort wide. Disappointing.
Subs & Manager
Myles Lewis-Skelly (6/10):
Replaced the injured Ben White in the first half. Decent enough showing. Looked to get forward when he could.
Martin Odegaard (6/10):
Added a bit more energy, but is passing was a bit off.
Leandro Trossard (7/10):
Certainly improved Arsenal down the left flank.
Mikel Merino (6/10):
Used the ball well having come on in midfield.
Gabriel Jesus (7/10):
On for the final 10 minutes. Got a great reception on his first Emirates appearance in nearly a year and was really lively. Not credited with the winner, but made a difference.
Mikel Arteta (6/10):
Made five changes, but would have been hoping for far more from his side. In hindsight, starting White for the fourth time in a row did not look like a great decision.
Arsenal 2-1 Wolves
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In stoppage time it looked like Wolves had grabbed a hard-fought point.
It looked like Man City would have the chance to go top.
But a SECOND own goal of the game from the visitors brought Arsenal the precious three points.
Top vs bottom? Never assume it’s going to be straight forward!
Arsenal go five points clear at the top of the table. Wolves remain on two.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-1 Wolves (Mosquera, 90+4)
ARSENAL STRIKE BACK!
Saka’s cross is directed in!
At first it looks like Jesus on his Emirates comeback but replays suggest it’s gone in off Mosquera!
TWO Wolves own goals!
Arsenal go five points clear
Arsenal extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to five points despite struggling against winless Wolves.
Mikel Arteta’s side triumph thanks to two own goals.
First Half: Arsenal 0-0 Wolves
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Arsenal aiming to go five points clear | Teams
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Commentary by Peter Smith, Nick Wright & Gary Cotterill at Emirates Stadium
Wolves team news
Team to play Arsenal: Johnstone, Doherty, Mosquera, Agbadou, Toti, Wolfe, Krejci, Andre, J. Gomes, Hwang, Strand Larsen.
Subs: Sa, Bueno, Arias, Arokodare, Chirewa, Hoever, Lopez, Mane, Tchatchoua.
Arsenal team news
Team to play Wolves: Raya, White, Saliba, Timber, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Rice, Eze, Saka, Martinelli, Gyokeres.
Subs: Kepa, Odegaard, Jesus, Norgaard, Trossard, Madueke, Nwaneri, Merino, Lewis-Skelly.
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