Leandro Trossard: Arsenal risk repeating Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang mistake as contract verdict delivered

Arsenal have been warned off handing a new four-year contract to Belgian attacker Leandro Trossard, but a renewal on shorter terms must not be discounted.

The former Brighton & Hove Albion attacker has yet again proven to be an integral performer for Mikel Arteta this season, thanks both to his attacking output and consistent availability throughout the campaign.

Trossard's 54 appearances in 2024-25 is more than any other player, and he has produced 10 goals and nine assists in the process, form that has reportedly convinced the powers-that-be that he is worthy of a new long-term deal.

The attacker - who has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia in recent times - sees his current terms expire next summer, but the club are said to be in talks with his entourage over a new agreement until 2029, by which time he will be 34.

Sports Mole recently asked Arsenal expert Charles Watts about the prospect of Trossard signing a new deal, to which he responded: "I have no issue with Arsenal keeping Leandro Trossard, unless a really good bid comes in this summer, then obviously you've got to consider it.

Watts: 'Trossard four-year deal is a bit long'

"But I just want Arsenal to have real strength in depth. We're expecting them to sign another wide attacker this summer, but if you lose Trossard, you're just replacing like for like. It's not like you strengthen the squad.

"You might have brought in a player you consider a better player, but numbers wise, the squad's the same. Trossard's so useful because he can play in so many different positions. I'd have no issue with them keeping him this summer, keeping Martinelli and signing another player. That's what we want.

"We want more attacking options. We want Arteta to really be able to rotate and not be in a situation we found ourselves in this season. But four years sounds a little long to me. Maybe two years with an option of a third would be more appealing.

"Again, it depends on the player. If Saudi Arabia or someone's in his ear saying that we'll give you four years, a decision has to be made; you either match that contract or wave him goodbye. We'll see what happens in the summer, but I certainly wouldn't be pushing Leandro Trossard out the door."

Trossard's latest goal contribution was the assist for Gabriel Martinelli's header in Sunday's 2-2 draw with Liverpool, after which the 30-year-old pulled up with a hamstring injury in the second half.

However, Trossard was then surprisingly able to train with the rest of the team at the Emirates on Wednesday, suggesting that he might be in with a chance of facing Newcastle United this weekend.

The case for and against Arsenal keeping Trossard

© Imago

Arsenal handing new long-term contracts to 30+ attackers will immediately evoke memories of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's extension in 2020, after which the Gabon attacker was never the same player and left in acrimonious circumstances.

Trossard will certainly not be on such a lucrative wage, though, and the ex-Brighton & Hove Albion man is one of the most reliable presences in the Arsenal side; only he, David Raya and Jakub Kiwior have been available for every Premier League game this season so far.

Arteta has highlighted how Arsenal left themselves short heading into the current campaign, so even with a couple of attacking reinforcements, letting a player of Trossard's experience, ilk and reliability go would surely defeat the objective.

However, as with all players in the second half of their careers, the big question is always when they might hit an inevitable decline, so reservations about keeping Trossard until 2029 are entirely valid.

A new one or two-year agreement would surely be better for all parties, but if teams from Saudi Arabia come in with an offer that is too good to turn down, Arsenal may have to do what is right financially rather than what is right in a footballing sense.

Written by
Ben Knapton