Leandro Trossard became one of Arsenal’s most beloved cult figures during his time at the Emirates Stadium, quietly delivering when it mattered most.
Much like Freddie Ljungberg before him, Trossard was never the standout name in the squad but consistently produced when the team needed him most.
His goal away at West Ham proved pivotal in Arsenal’s 2025/26 Premier League title triumph, all but sealing the league crown for Mikel Arteta’s side.
The Belgian arrived from Brighton in 2023 for just £27m and turned out to be one of the shrewdest pieces of business the club had conducted in years.
Now, having departed for Besiktas this summer, Arsenal face the challenge of replacing a player who was more important than many supporters initially realised.
Christos Tzolis has made a strong early impression, with Arteta drawing direct comparisons between the Greek winger and the man he has replaced at the club.
“Tzolis is a very direct player,” Arteta said. “He has a lot of similarities with Leo in a lot of the things that he can do and the spaces he can occupy. And then the work ethic that he has.”
Tzolis has backed up those words on the pitch, scoring against Girona and assisting goals against both Real Betis and Borussia Dortmund since joining from Club Brugge.
Despite that encouraging start, the squad still needs further reinforcement, particularly with Gabriel Martinelli attracting a bid from Turkish club Galatasaray.
Arteta had targeted both Morgan Rogers and Vinicius Junior this summer but ended up signing neither, leaving a clear gap on the left wing that still needs addressing.
PSG’s Bradley Barcola has emerged as one alternative, though his £145m asking price makes any potential deal extremely difficult for Arsenal to sanction at this stage.
Barcola played no minutes in PSG’s Super Cup win over Aston Villa, fuelling speculation that his time at the French club could be drawing to a close.
With premium options proving out of reach, Arsenal have turned their attention to Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye as a more realistic and attainable target this window.
According to Caught Offside, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Liverpool have all opened talks with the player’s camp regarding a potential transfer this summer.
Ndiaye has already rejected interest from Saudi Arabia in order to remain in the Premier League, giving English clubs what appears to be a clear run at signing him.
Jamie O’Hara has previously described him as “one of the best players in the Premier League,” highlighting the Senegalese winger’s ability to cause problems in tight areas.
Statistically, both Ndiaye and Trossard scored six Premier League goals last season, but Ndiaye managed that return from fewer shots, suggesting greater efficiency in front of goal.
Where Ndiaye stands out over Trossard is in successful dribbles per 90 minutes, averaging 2.36 compared to Trossard’s 1.12, offering Arsenal far more directness and drive.
Their numbers in expected threat during build-up phases and progressive carrying are remarkably similar, underlining just how comparable their profiles are in certain key areas.
The move would not drain Arsenal’s finances, and Trossard himself was not the club’s first choice when he signed, with Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk the original target at the time.
Like Trossard before him, Ndiaye looks like a player ready to unlock his full potential the moment he steps up to a club competing for the very top prizes.