Arsenal may have scored just two goals in their last two games, but it feels like the tide has turned at the Emirates Stadium.
He could have cut his nerves with a knife before the 3-0 win against Fulham. They narrowly beat Newcastle, but it was an expressive performance that Mikel Arteta and his supporters desperately needed.
They did just that against the Cottages nine days ago, and their follow-up victory took them to even greater heights, defeating Atlético Madrid in midweek to reach the Champions League final for the first time since 2006.
The 1-0 win against West Ham was a little more muddy, but their front line has improved significantly over the past week or so. Victor Goqueres, Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka were also in goal.
Arsenal could sign big-money upgrade for Trossard
Trossard may have scored his first goal of 2026 against the Hammers on Sunday, but that should not distract the ranks from entering this summer’s transfer window and signing an elite replacement.
The most exciting link is undoubtedly PSG superstar Hviča Kvaratscheria. However, he is currently the Parisian club’s star man and it seems quite impossible to pry him away from the French capital.
Real Madrid’s Rodrygo would likely have been an option barring an anterior cruciate ligament injury. The Gunners have been monitoring him for a long time.
AC Milan’s Rafael Leao is another player Arsenal are interested in and could be lured away from the San Siro for a cut price of £60m.
Speaking of cut prices, Bradley Barcola is the name that headlines this piece. In recent weeks, reports have emerged detailing Arsenal’s preference for another PSG attacker.
However, their interest in the French seems to be a little more specific than in Kvaratskheria.
In fact, according to TEAMtalk, a number of clubs across English football are interested in bringing Barcola across the Channel to England’s shores.
Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United are all said to be closely monitoring his departure, with all clubs said to be in early talks with the club over the player’s potential signing.
The winger’s agent is currently exploring options with Barcola this summer, as his contract situation with PSG is at an impasse. As such, he could be available for around £62 million.
Comparison between Barcola and Trossard
It was amazing to see Trossard’s diminutive figure back to his best last week.
It’s been a season and a year of struggles for the Belgian, who faces West Ham on Sunday. He hadn’t scored a goal entering 2026. In fact, he hasn’t been able to find the back of the net in his last 25 games.
We’ve been in terrible form, but we’ve been really good, especially in the last two league games. Against Fulham, the winger completed a career-high six dribbles in a game and also provided the assist for Gokeres’ second goal.
He was even better against West Ham on Sunday, not only scoring a clutch goal to keep Arsenal in pole position and winning the title, but also showing an incredible work rate throughout.
His goals were outstanding throughout the 90 minutes, but his excellent recovery challenge in the first half also caught the eye. After West Ham moved forward, Trossard somehow took up the centre-back position and the 31-year-old appeared to sniff out danger after the ball drifted to the back of the right channel.
It will be difficult to replace someone like Trossard from a utilization and availability standpoint. The Belgium international always seems ready to play.
But the fact is that Arsenal need far more quality on the left, similar to Saka’s on the right. Barcola can definitely provide that.
Trossard enjoyed a season in 2023/24 in which he scored 17 goals in the famous red and white, but those days are now behind him. He has scored just eight goals this season, six of which have come in league matches.
For comparison, Barcola has scored 12 goals in all competitions. A deeper analysis of the numbers shows that this is a huge win for PSG’s 23-year-old sensation.
Trossard vs. Barcola: 25/26 league statistics | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (per 90 minutes) | Trossard | Stagger |
the goal | 0.3 | 0.6 |
shot | 1.6 | 2.7 |
shot accuracy | 45% | 60% |
conversion rate | 11% | 15% |
assist | 0.3 | 0.1 |
An opportunity has arisen | 1.7 | 2.1 |
Take-up completed | 1.1 | 2.0 |
foul win | 1.9 | 0.6 |
won a duel | 4.5 | 4.5 |
Looking at those numbers, it’s easy to see why Como scout Ben Mattinson described him as “one of the best wingers in the world”.
Barcola may not have the 21 goals and 21 assists he had last season, but he’s still making a big impression. Compared to Trossard, he is much more of a goal threat and has a higher ability to shoot on goal.
PSG’s superstar may not commit as many fouls per 90 minutes, but he generates far more take-ons. Arsenal have been without such a threat down the left for the majority of this season. The direct and tricky Barcola may help solve that problem.
If the fee is indeed around £62m, then this should settle everything for Andrea Berta and co.
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