‘Never really an option’ – Arsenal star rubbishes summer exit rumours

Leandro Trossard has poured cold water on rumours that he could have departed Arsenal in the summer, claiming it was ‘never really an option’.

Fierce competition for places means Trossard has had to be patient for a run of consistent starts under Mikel Arteta across his three-year stay, with the forward often – and perhaps unfairly – viewed as as a super sub.

However, injuries to the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz saw Trossard finish with 28 starts – and an impressive return of eight goals and seven assists – in the Premier League last term.

But despite playing more of a central role, speculation and gossip began to circulate that Trossard could be set for a move away from the Emirates when the summer transfer window opened for business.

Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and several clubs within the Premier League were said to be keeping close tabs on the situation, while Turkish Super Lig outfit Besiktas reportedly lodged a £19million bid for the winger.

Trossard went on to sign a new contract in north London, though, and the Belgium international has hit the ground running this season, racking up two goals and two assists in his first eight appearances.

‘I’ve had some good weeks, both individually and with Arsenal,’ Trossard told the Belgian media ahead of the Red Devils’ World Cup qualifying match with North Macedonia.

‘I’m finally a fit footballer again, a player in top form.

‘I’m very happy about that.’

Asked whether leaving Arsenal was ever on the cards in the summer, Trossard replied: ‘There are always rumours like that.

‘Leaving was never really an option. I feel very good at Arsenal.

‘At the beginning of the season I struggled a bit with an injury. I think those rumours were there because of the lack of minutes.

‘I’ve been playing a lot the last few weeks, doing my thing and I feel good about that.’

Trossard put his name forward to fill in as a false nine for Belgium against North Macedonia, with Romelu Lukaku and Charles De Ketelaere both nursing injuries.

‘Is a false nine an option for me? I’m always willing to play there. I’ve done it often enough at Arsenal,’ he said.

‘That’s the manager’s decision.

‘We have strikers in the squad here and I can’t say too much about it myself.’

Trossard, formerly of Brighton and Genk, secured himself a significant pay rise with the new contract he signed in August.

However, it did not change the length of Trossard’s existing deal, which runs through to June 2027.

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