‘I can’t believe it’ – Arsenal told they have made major transfer mistake

Former England goalkeeper Ben Foster says he ‘can’t believe’ Arsenal allowed such an ‘influential’ squad member leave in Leandro Trossard this summer.

Trossard played a key role as the Gunners brought their 22-year title drought to an end last season, finishing the top-flight campaign with six assists and six goals to his name.

But the 31-year-old made it clear he was keen for a fresh challenge after two-and-a-half seasons in north London and went on to complete a move to Turkish giants Besiktas for a fee of just £15.3million.

The Premier League champions had made sure to line up a like-for-like replacement in the shape of Christos Tzolis, who touched down at the Emirates to fill the void left by the Belgian on the left wing.

But Tzolis’ only previous experience of English football – a two-year spell with Norwich City – hardly set the world alight and there will be pressure on the Greece international to justify the £34m that Arsenal spent to sign the forward from Club Brugge.

Arsenal had hoped to further strengthen their attack with a statement move for Vinicius Junior and were optimistic of prising the Brazilian away from Real Madrid right up until last week.

Vinicius would go on to sign a new long-term contract at the Bernabeu, though, and it remains to be seen if the Gunners will focus their attentions on a possible alternative before the transfer deadline.

‘I don’t like the Trossard sale, I really don’t,’ Foster said when discussing Arsenal’s transfer dealings on talkSPORT.

I think he’s such a big, influential player for them and I can’t believe they’ve sold him.

But on Bruno Guimaraes’ arrival, Foster added: ‘Big signing, I like him a lot.’

According to Foster, the title race appears wide open before a ball has been kicked this season.

However, the ex-Manchester United shot-stopper is feeling confident about the Red Devils’ chances on the back of their end-of-season resurgence under Michael Carrick.

‘I think it’s one of the hardest calls to make that we’ve had in recent years,’ he said.

When pushed to pick out an eventual champion, Foster added: ‘I’m going to say Manchester United.

‘Last season’s form has set into motion a style of play and an expectation of what those players have to deliver week in, week out for Manchester United.

‘If they can add another one or two then Manchester United are definitely within a shout, but they need to add one or two big ones.

‘The problem nowadays is that if you’re going to add one or two big ones then it’s £200m. Liverpool need a couple of big ones!’

By capturing Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa, Foster believes United may have made the ‘signing of the summer’ heading into the new season.

‘What a bit of business,’ he said.

‘I’ve watched a load of transfers happen, Tottenham spending a lot of money, Arsenal have just spent a lot of money, but I still think Youri Tielemans is the signing of the summer so far.

‘For £30m (£35m), whatever it was, he is a ready-made, good-to-go, starting XI player and if you can spend that money on a ready-to-go starter then it’s worth every single penny.

‘I still think they need that one focal point striker, that one big boy striker. The problem is, where are you going to get it from? And it’s going to cost you £100m, it’s the way it goes nowadays.’

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