Chris Waddle believes the time is right for Arsenal to replace Leandro Trossard and urged Mikel Arteta to pursue a deal for Bayern Munich target Anthony Gordon.
Trossard has proven himself to be one of the shrewdest signings of Arteta’s tenure since arriving from Brighton for £27million in January 2023.
And while linked with an exit last summer, the Belgian remained at the Emirates and played an important role in Arsenal’s title-winning side, most notably scoring the crucial winner against West Ham down the closing stretch of the season.
Trossard remains under contract for another season and indicated last weekend that he intends to stay at Arsenal for the duration of his deal.
The countdown is on
Our seven-day guide to the World Cup is live. 48 teams, 104 games, 1104 players – we’ve got everything you need to know. Sign up now.
‘I still have one year on my contract, and hopefully, first we win the Champions League,’ the 31-year-old said. ‘Then I think next season can be another very nice season.’
But having scored only six league goals in 31 appearances this season, former England midfielder Waddle thinks Arsenal need to look to upgrade their options on the left wing.
‘I think they need to be looking at another winger on the left-hand side because Leandro Trossard isn’t really a winger,’ Waddle told Boyle Sports.
‘He’s been converted into one. Trossard has done well. I’m not saying he hasn’t. He’s a dangerous player but I don’t think he’s a good enough winger.’
And should Arsenal look for a Premier League-proven replacement for Trossard, Waddle namechecked Gordon and Jarrod Bowen as potential replacements.
‘Somebody like Anthony Gordon would be a good acquisition or maybe even Jarrod Bowen,’ Waddled added.
‘He would be a player who could play in this Arsenal team. I know he likes to play down the right and that’s where Bukayo Saka is but he could do a job down the left and he’d get you goals and work hard for the team.’
Gordon looks set to leave Newcastle United this summer as the Magpies seek to raise funds, with Bayern among those intersted in the England international.
Meanwhile, there is plenty of speculation over Bowen’s future at West Ham following their relegation from the top-flight on final day.
Speaking about his future on Sunday, Bowen said: ‘Listen, it’s still very, very raw. Talking about futures is disrespectful to the club, the fans, everything like that.
‘This club deserves to be in the Premier League. That’s our aim now, this season is done, our aim now is to get back in the Premier League. That’s as simple as it is.
‘I want this club to be in the Premier League. It’s a club that means so much to me, that’s given me so much, so my vision is getting this club back in the Premier League.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.