Arsenal could sign £75m Trossard upgrade who looks like ‘first Thierry Henry’

As Mikel Arteta sits down over Christmas to think about 2025 for Arsenalhe can be damn happy.

Yes, the Gunners didn’t win a trophy but they finished second in the Premier League and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League, eliminated only by PSG, future winners.

The task now is to build on this foundation. They have done a brilliant job so far this season and although they have been plundered by injuries of late, they are still fighting at the top and fighting on all fronts to end what will be a six-year trophy drought at the end of this season.

Arsenal’s success in recent years has been built on the foundations of an average defense, but their forward line is perhaps more dynamic and fluid than it has ever been.

Be the club of the club Léandro Trossard played on the opposite flank. He has arguably been Arteta’s best and most consistent striker in 2025/26.

How Trossard became so important to Arsenal

Rewind to January 2023. The Gunners looked set to sign Ukrainian superstar Mykhailo Mudryk, only for the winger to join Chelsea instead.

Well, who’s laughing now? Arsenal certainly had the better end of the stick. As an alternative, the Londoners turned to Trossard and brought him to the Emirates Stadium in a deal worth £27million.

The move turned out to be a good deal, even if the Belgian’s opinions are divided, especially last year.

Trossard finished last season with just eight league goals and it was widely recognized that Arsenal needed an upgrade on the flank to move to the next level. They have signed Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze, and while they may feature on the left, their best positions are elsewhere.

Reports suggest the former Brighton man could leave the capital over the summer, but he has instead received a pay rise. Questions were raised. The Belgian international is now 31 years old. He’s not old by any means, but he’s now nearing the end of his career.

Well, Trossard proved all the skeptics wrong. In the words of Arsenal writer Connor Hummhe has “arguably been the best winger in the Premier League this season”.

Indeed, the experienced striker has scored six goals and provided five assists in 20 matches in all competitions this campaign and has come out on top on several occasions.

Trossard scored the winner against Fulham, scored off the bench against Aston Villa a few weeks ago and won the 4-1 rout of Tottenham Hotspur.

He has a history of doing well in big moments since his move, but Arteta must not overlook the need for a long-term upgrade.

Arsenal could sign major Trossard upgrade

Not forgetting the striker position, Arsenal’s left winger has been one of the problematic positions in recent years. Yes, Trossard has attracted attention this season, but he has been inconsistent, as has his positional rival Gabriel Martinelli.

The Brazilian is a lively and energetic figure on the wing, but his tendency to blow hot and cold has frustrated many fans at the Emirates.

He has scored in five successive Champions League matches, becoming the first player in Arsenal’s history to do so, but in the league, Martinelli has just one goal to show for his efforts in 12 appearances.

So what is the solution? Well, we have a feeling that Andrea Berta and Co. could use another winger. Someone wants Rafael Léão?

The Portuguese sensation has been linked with a move to north London for some time now, but reports earlier this month suggested the club were still very interested in taking the striker away from AC Milan. Other reports even suggest that if the Gunners made a move he would be ‘very keen’ to travel to the Emirates Stadium.

Estimated to be worth around £75 millionLeao is widely recognized as “one of the best left wingers in the world” in the words of Como recruiter Ben Mattinson.

It’s easy to understand why. Over the past few seasons, he has not only been a goal threat, but he is also a threat when it comes to creating chances for his teammates. In 50 matches in 2024/25, the 26-year-old has scored 12 goals and provided 13 assists.

As for this season, the Portuguese international has six goals in all competitions, scoring five in just ten Serie A matches for Milan.

He is indeed a threat, and one who has already earned comparisons with an Arsenal great. Former Milan boss Stefano Pioli previously suggested he reminded him of a “start Thierry Henry” because of his talent for stepping away from his vast role.

Indeed, Leao plays primarily on the left side, but he loves to drift inside and has those long Henry-like strides to help him get away from defenders.

Leao vs Trossard in 2024/25: League only
Statistics (per 90 minutes)	Lion	Trossard
Goals	0.31	0.28
Aids	0.28	0.25
Gunshots	2.56	2.54
Key passes	2.25	1.45
Progressive passes	3.60	3.57
Plan Creation Actions	4.38	3.29
Successful positions taken	2.29	1.34
Progressive ports	4.77	2.83
Data provided by FBRef.

One of the most captivating forwards on the planet, Leao is one of the best ball carriers around. According to FBRef, he ranks in the top 1% of strikers in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for progressive runs with 4.23 per 90 minutes, while he is also in the top 7% for successful positions with 1.71 per 90 minutes.

A carry is considered progressive if the ball is moved towards the opponent’s goal at least 10 meters from its starting point or is carried into the penalty area.

A Champions League regular with Milan and a constant nuisance to the full-backs in Italy, if Arsenal are looking for a way to take their attack to the next level, then Leao is their man.