Mikel Arteta has made it clear that any summer debate over Leandro Trossard’s future at Arsenal was shut down before it even started. Despite the noise around the Belgian forward in recent months, the manager insists there was “no chance” of him leaving the Emirates.
Speaking after one of Trossard’s standout performances for the club, Arteta revealed just how important he considers the versatile attacker to be. Surrounded by this Arsenal squad, he believes Trossard is a player who will “make a difference” in key moments.
That belief was backed up by the display Arteta was analysing. He described it as “one of the best games” Trossard has had for Arsenal, praising his aggression with and without the ball, his effectiveness in the final third and the sense that he could easily have added more goals to his tally on the day.
Mikel Arteta on Leandro Trossard Arsenal future
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Asked about the noise around Trossard in the summer, Arteta did not leave room for doubt. “For me, it was forbidden for him to leave, no chance,” he said, underlining that any talk of an exit was never on his agenda.
He expanded on why his stance was so firm: “I know the player that he is & surrounded with the players that we have, he’s a player that is going to make a difference for us.” In other words, this is not simply about keeping depth in the squad, but about protecting a piece of the starting puzzle Arteta believes in.
That kind of language is rare. To call a departure “forbidden” is to send a message to the player, the dressing room and any outside suitors. Trossard is not a fringe option to be moved on if the right bid arrives; he is part of the core that Arteta thinks can drive Arsenal’s ambitions over the coming seasons.
Why Trossard was ‘forbidden’ to leave
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Arteta’s explanation shows that his faith in Trossard is built on more than just numbers. He talked specifically about how the forward looks when surrounded by this Arsenal group, hinting at chemistry with teammates and a tactical understanding that fits the system.
Trossard’s ability to play across the front line, link play in tight spaces and attack the box from different angles gives Arteta flexibility. When he is on form, he drags defenders out of position, presses with intelligence and gives Arsenal another route to goal beyond their more headline-grabbing names.
In that context, letting him go at a time when Arsenal are pushing at the top of the Premier League would have weakened both their starting XI and their bench. Instead, Arteta doubled down on the idea that this was never an option, effectively framing Trossard as non-negotiable to his plans.
How Leandro Trossard difference maker for Arsenal showed vs Spurs
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Arteta’s praise came on the back of a derby performance that reinforced exactly why he fought to keep Trossard. The forward was heavily involved from the first whistle, aggressive out of possession and sharp whenever Arsenal attacked.
The manager highlighted both sides of his game. “It was one of the best games [he’s had at Arsenal], so aggressive with & without the ball, so effective,” Arteta said. That balance of pressing and productivity is what he wants to see as standard.
He added that Trossard “could have scored another one or two goals & he was involved in so many positive actions”. That line captures the sense that even when he is not finishing every chance, his presence constantly tilts the game in Arsenal’s favour by creating danger, winning duels and linking moves around the box.
What Arteta’s trust in Trossard means next
When a manager talks about a player in these terms, it usually signals a bigger role to come. Arteta’s comments suggest Trossard will continue to be trusted in major fixtures, not just as a useful squad option but as someone expected to decide tight games.
For Trossard, the message is equally clear. His manager believes he belongs at the heart of this project, not on its fringes. The demand, though, is that he maintains the level Arteta has just described as one of his best games for the club.
For Arsenal, keeping a forward who is “forbidden” to leave and who can deliver such aggressive, effective performances only strengthens their attacking armoury. And for any club watching the summer noise and wondering if there was an opportunity, Arteta has closed that door firmly. Leandro Trossard is staying put and, in his manager’s eyes, he is only just beginning to show how big a difference he can make.
Related Items:Latest Leandro Trossard News | Transfer News | Injury News and Update, Latest Mikel Arteta News | Transfer News | Injury News and Update
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