Trossard To Stay Despite Interest Overseas

Trossard Not for Sale – Unless…There Is No Unless!

So, apparently, Besiktas think Arsenal are going to hand them Leandro Trossard for £19 million before the Turkish transfer window slams shut. Lovely idea. Shame it's about as realistic as referees not favouring Man U and Liverpool.

Fabrizio Romano, football's answer to the Pope of Transfers, has already declared it: no chance. Arsenal aren't selling. Not this week, not this month, not while Arteta is still rearranging cones at London Colney.

The Stats Nobody Asked For

Let's not kid ourselves: Trossard isn't exactly breaking down doors this season. Thirty-seven minutes on the pitch, and he's already worn out more Adidas training bibs than defenders. Last year though, he actually pulled his weight: 28 Premier League starts, eight goals, eight assists. Pretty handy for a man who looks like he should be flogging houses on Rightmove.

Arsenal's Masterplan: Pay Rise Without Commitment

Back in August, Trossard signed a new deal. "Secured him a pay rise," said the club. Did they extend the contract length? Of course not. Arsenal basically slipped him a few extra quid for being good at rondos. Arteta, ever the diplomat, cooed about it being "a great outcome." Which it is, if your definition of a great outcome is giving someone more money to play less football.

The Reality Check

Besiktas might want him, but Arsenal have bigger fish to fry. We've brought in Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze this summer, plus Max Dowman – who's still young enough to be told off for not finishing his homework. And yet, Trossard isn't leaving because depth matters. Depth is what stops us playing a midfielder as a false nine in crucial games. Oh, wait… didn't we do that?

The Cannon Verdict

So, Leo stays. He'll fight Martinelli for the left wing spot, pop up with a cheeky goal at Everton, and keep Turkish football Twitter fuming. Arsenal aren't prepared to sell — unless Besiktas can offer something truly irresistible, like a lifetime supply of kebabs and a replay of the 2002 FA Cup final.