Leandro Trossard has made it clear why he's not leaving Arsenal anytime soon as the Gunners gave Al-Ittihad a hard pass on their bid for the ace.
It was reported on Monday that Saudi Pro League heavyweights made an offer of £4.2 million to sign Trossard on loan with an obligation to buy for £20m later. Arsenal rejected the proposal, telling Al-Ittihad that the Belgian is not for sale.
With ambitions to challenge for the Premier League trophy again and finally break Manchester City's stranglehold, Trossard is seen as vital to Arsenal's aims and letting him go now was not an option with them unable to sign a replacement until the January window. The offer came amid whispers that Trossard's grown frustrated at not securing a starting spot in Mikel Arteta's side.
Trossard started on the bench for the first two games of the 2024/25 season, with Arteta opting for Gabriel Martinelli instead. However, Trossard was back in the starting line-up for the 1-1 draw against Brighton. But just recently, Trossard shared his eagerness to stick around at the Emirates and fight for his position, saying competition in the squad has improved his game.
After scoring the decisive goal after coming on as a substitute against Aston Villa last month, he said as cited by Sports Central: "I know the competition in the team and it pushes everyone to go onto the next level and as I said before, I'm very happy to have an impact and help the team and it's a great win for us." "I think you can see it on the pitch as well, I'm feeling great. I think I've shown that over the last months and it helps the team as well and it pushes everyone across the team. In every position there's competition, it's what the club also needs."
Instead of celebrating, Trossard had a bemused expression after slotting one past Emiliano Martinez at Villa Park. Fans speculated if Trossard's discontent showed his time at Arsenal was coming to an end but Arteta was quick to smooth over any perceived rift, lauding the attacker's approach and influence.
Arteta gushed: "First of all when you don't get picked there are certain ways to react. He is upset but he is upset to show on the pitch how good he is, not upset and then come in and complain (he) wasn't playing, that is a huge quality." "Then, when you put him in the starting line-up, he does exactly the same thing. That is a big message and a big example for the rest of the team and myself." The goal against the Villans marked Trossards sixth as a substitute for the Gunners and his 18th since the start of last season.
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