Mikel Arteta can sit in the middle of Christmas and reflect on Arsenal’s 2025 and feel very happy.
Yes, the Gunners didn’t win a trophy, but they finished second in the Premier League and reached the Champions League semi-finals, only to be eliminated by eventual winners PSG.
The challenge now is to build on that foundation. They have done a great job so far this season and despite being plagued by injuries of late, they are still competing at the top and fighting on all fronts to end their six-year trophy drought come the end of this season.
While Arsenal’s success in recent years has been built on a foundation of average defending, their frontline is perhaps more dynamic and fluid than ever before.
Bukayo Saka remains the club’s talisman, but Leandro Trossard has thrived on the other flank. He was undoubtedly Arteta’s best and most consistent attacker in 2025/26.
How Trossard became so important to Arsenal
Cast your mind back to January 2023. The Gunners looked set to sign Ukrainian superstar Mykhailo Mudryk, but the winger ended up joining Chelsea instead.
Well, who’s laughing now? Arsenal certainly had the advantage. As an alternative, the Londoners turned to Trossard and brought him to the Emirates Stadium in a deal worth £27 million.
The move turned out to be a bargain, even if Belgian opinion was divided, especially last year.
Trossard scored just eight league goals last season and it was widely recognized that Arsenal needed an upgrade in the side if they were to progress to the next level. They have signed Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze, but although they can play on the left, their best positions are elsewhere.
The former Brighton man could leave the capital during the summer but has been handed a pay rise in return, according to reports. A question arose. The Belgium international is currently 31 years old. Although he is not old by any means, he is currently nearing the end of his career.
Well, Trossard proved all the doubters wrong. In the words of Arsenal writer Conor Hamm, he is “arguably the best winger in the Premier League this season”.
In fact, the experienced forward has scored six goals and provided five assists in 20 games in all competitions this season, creating a number of comebacks.
Trossard scored the winning goal against Fulham, came off the bench against Aston Villa a few weeks ago and scored in the 4-1 rout of Tottenham Hotspur.
Although he has had a habit of performing well in important moments since his arrival, Arteta must not ignore the need for long-term upgrades.
Arsenal could sign big-money upgrade for Trossard
Not forgetting the striker position, Arsenal’s left wing has been one of their problematic positions in recent years. Indeed, Trossard has attracted attention this season, but like his positional rival Gabriel Martinelli, he has been inconsistent.
The Brazilian is a lively and energetic player on the wing, but his tendency to get hot and cold quickly irritates many supporters at the Emirates.
He scored in five consecutive Champions League games, becoming the first player in Arsenal’s history to score, but Martinelli has scored just one goal in 12 league appearances.
So what could be the solution? Well, there is a feeling in Andrea Berta and co that they could do it with another winger. Does anyone like Rafael Leo?
The Portuguese sensation has been linked with a move to north London for some time, but reports earlier this month claimed that the club remained strongly interested in signing the forward from AC Milan. Further reports even suggest he is “very keen” to head to the Emirates Stadium if the Gunners initiate a move.
Reported to be worth around £75 million, Leao is widely regarded as, in the words of Como scout Ben Mattinson, “one of the best left wingers in the world”.
The reason is simple. In recent seasons, he has become a threat not only in terms of scoring goals, but also in creating chances for his teammates. In 50 appearances throughout the 2024/25 season, the 26-year-old scored 12 goals and provided 13 assists.
As for this season, the Portugal international has scored six goals in all competitions, with five in just 10 Serie A games for Milan.
He is certainly a threat and a player who is already being compared to Arsenal’s greats. Former Milan manager Stefano Pioli previously suggested that he reminded him of “an early Thierry Henry” because of the talent he brings inside from a wide range of roles.
In fact, Leo primarily plays on the left side, but likes to drift inside and has a Henry-like long stride that helps him jump out of defenders.
Leo vs Trossard 2024/25: League only | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (per 90 minutes) | lion | Trossard |
the goal | 0.31 | 0.28 |
assist | 0.28 | 0.25 |
shot | 2.56 | 2.54 |
key pass | 2.25 | 1.45 |
progressive path | 3.60 | 3.57 |
The action that creates the shot | 4.38 | 3.29 |
successful take-up | 2.29 | 1.34 |
progressive carry | 4.77 | 2.83 |
Data is provided by FBRef. | ||
One of the most attractive forwards on the planet, Leo is also one of the best ball carriers. According to FBRef, his progressive carry success rate of 4.23 per 90 minutes ranked him in the best 1% of forwards in Europe’s top five leagues last year, and his take-on success rate of 1.71 per 90 minutes ranked him in the top 7%.
A carry is considered progressive if the ball moves toward the opponent’s goal at least 10 yards from the starting point or is carried into the penalty area.
A regular in the Champions League with Milan and always a thorn in the side for full-backs in Italy, if Arsenal are looking for a way to take their attack to the next level, Leo is their man.
Arsenal fans must be desperate to have another talent like Henry in their ranks. That could be the difference between winning the title and losing it.
Arsenal fans excited: Berta agrees new Saka contract with ESR
The sensational prospect could be a game-changer for Arsenal, as was the case with Saka and Smith Rowe in the past.
