Belgium winger Trossard joins Arsenal from Brighton ~ Football vows

Premier League leaders Arsenal announced the arrival of versatile Belgium international winger Leandro Trossard on Friday on a long-term contract from Brighton & Hove Albion

They hoped the 28-year-old, who was in the Belgium squad at last year’s World Cup in Qatar and has made 24 appearances for his country, would be eligible for selection against third-placed Manchester United on Sunday.

Trossard has scored seven goals in 16 league appearances this season, including a hat-trick against Liverpool at Anfield in October.

Media reports said the deal was for four and a half years and would cost Arsenal £27 million – an initial 20 million expenditure plus add-ons.

“It is good work from everyone at the club to complete the signing of Leandro,” said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

“He is a versatile player with high technical ability, intelligence and a great deal of experience in the Premier League and at international level.

“Leandro strengthens our squad as we head into the second part of the season and we’re all looking forward to working with him.”

Trossard said he believed he could improve under Arteta’s guidance.

“They told me they really like me as a player, that I would really suit the system and how they want to play. It helps me that I’m versatile and that I can play in different positions,” he told the Arsenal website.

“I like to be in the pocket behind the striker. On the wings, I can explore myself as well. I’m comfortable in either of those positions but if I were to choose, behind the striker – but it all depends on the system.”

Arsenal are five points clear of Manchester City and with a game in hand at the top of the standings.

Arteta confident Trossard will have immediate impact

Arsenal’s new signing Leandro Trossard will likely be ready for selection against Manchester United on Sunday, coach Mikel Arteta said on Friday, adding that he believed the Belgium international would have an immediate impact on the team.

The 28-year-old winger arrived at the Premier League leaders on Friday from Brighton & Hove Albion on a reported 4-1/2 year deal for a transfer fee of £27 million.

“We are really happy to have him. He’s a player we followed for a while. The opportunity came and we had the necessity for a player in the front line who is versatile enough to play in a different position,” Arteta told reporters on Friday.

“He is a player that fits our way of playing for sure, and we are happy to have him.”

North London’s newest arrival. pic.twitter.com/utp1apPmmv— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 20, 2023

United are on a 10-game unbeaten run in all competitions and the only team to beat Arsenal in the Premier League so far this season, earning a 3-1 victory at Old Trafford in September.

“There were some important lessons in that game and why we lost it when in many moments we had control of the game,” Arteta said.

“But we know that’s one of the qualities of United – when you have control of the game the match can get away from you because they have so much individual talent, they have good organisation and they have many ways to create problems.”

Arteta said Erik ten Hag’s United side have turned around things around rather fast.

“I think he has implemented a very clear way of playing. They have a really good energy around the place and a lot of things have changed in a very short period of time,” he said.

Arteta added that there were no fresh injuries in the squad.

United are third in the league on 39 points after 19 games, eight points behind Arsenal who have a game in hand.

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