25 January 2023 , 10:58
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Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has sent a stern warning to the Gunners attack over new signing Leandro Trossard and how the Belgium international has not come to warm the bench.
The Gunners spent much of the January transfer window desperately trying to sign Mykhaylo Mudryk but the former Shakhtar Donetsk man ended up signing for Arsenal's London rivals Chelsea. Mikel Arteta knew he had precious little time to waste when it came to finding an alternative as he aimed to bolster his options in wide attacking areas.
Following Mudryk's snub, Arsenal quickly made contact with Brighton over the possibility of signing Trossard. It is widely believed the Gunners reached out to the Seagulls last Wednesday and by Friday he was an Arsenal player, making his debut against Manchester United on Sunday.
While Trossard's arrival may not garner quite the same level of excitement Mudryk's would have, it quickly became apparent on his first outing that the 28-year-old will still offer Arsenal plenty.
Given just under 10 minutes to strut his stuff against the Red Devils, Trossard was brought on in place of Martinelli and showcased some fantastic close control and technical quality. It was a brief cameo that has certainly made those same Arsenal fans that were underwhelmed by his signing sit up and take notice.
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Ramsdale certainly appears to be under no illusions over the quality and ambition Trossard boasts, if his recent comments on the deal are anything to go by.
Leandro Trossard made his Arsenal debut against Manchester United last SundayHAVE YOUR SAY! Will Trossard be a successful signing for Arsenal? Comment below
The Gunners goalkeeper was appearing on The Fellas podcast when he was asked just how much players know about transfers before they have been officially announced.
After admitting he knew Gabriel Jesus was coming to Arsenal some time before he had signed, Ramsdale discussed one of the Gunners' newest recruits.
"Trossard is coming in to take someone's place in his head, he's not coming to - it might look like he is coming to be part of the squad, deep down like I was with [Bernd] Leno.
"Like I've come to take Leno's pace, he's coming to take one of the front three player's place. So if you start saying 'oh by the way we've signed Trossard' before it happens, one of them front three might go 'hang on a minute'.
The idea that one of the current Arsenal front three, particularly Gabriel Martinelli considering Trossard mainly operates off the left, would feel snubbed by the former Brighton man signing clearly didn't cross the mind of manager Arteta.
It is simply up to those same players to maintain a level that means they stay in the team ahead of Trossard, who will be chomping at their heels should the likes of Martinelli or Bukayo Saka endured a rough spell of form.
It must be said, that doesn't look on the horizon any time soon, with Saka especially essential in Arsenal's rise to the summit of the Premier League. Arteta's side boast a five point advantage over title rivals Manchester City having played one game less.