Mikel Arteta thinks £27m signing Leandro Trossard WILL be available to make his debut against Manchester United in crunch clash at the Emirates on Sunday – with the Gunners boss confirming the Belgian has trained with his new team-mates
- Arsenal face Man United on Sunday with the Gunners five points clear at the top
- Gunners confirmed signing of Leandro Trossard on Friday in a deal worth £27m
- A win for Mikel Arteta’s side would send Arsenal 11 points clear of the Red Devils
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that new £27million signing Leandro Trossard should be available to make his debut against Manchester United on Sunday.
Arsenal can go 11 points clear of United with a victory which would leave Erik ten Hag’s side with a mountain to climb to catch them.
The Gunners confirmed the signing of Trossard from Brighton earlier on Friday afternoon.
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that new £27million signing Leandro Trossard is available to make his debut against Manchester United on Sunday
The Arsenal boss praised Trossard’s versatility and said that the club have followed him for a while
When asked about whether the Belgian will feature against United, he said: ‘He trained today, so he’s good to go.’
According to the Premier League rules, Trossard’s registration must have been completed by 12pm on Friday afternoon to be in contention for a debut.
But when quizzed on whether this had been done, Arteta said that he believes all the relevant paperwork has been done in time to ensure that Trossard can feature.
Discussing the signing of Trossard, he said: ‘We are really happy to have him. He’s a player we followed for a while.
‘The opportunity came and we had the necessity for a player in the front line who is versatile. I think he can have an immediate impact.’
Trossard was pictured for the first time in an Arsenal shirt after completing his move on Friday
Mikel Arteta has been eager to strengthen his attacking options as the Gunners pursue a first Premier League title since 2004 and Belgium international Trossard fits the bill.
Brighton will receive a guaranteed figure of around £20m with the remaining £7m made up of achievable incentives – and the Gunners have handed Trossard the No.19 shirt – previously worn by Nicolas Pepe.
Arteta did, however, refuse to delve further into Arsenal’s links to Poland defender Jakub Kiwior.
‘We cannot talk about players that we haven’t finalised. When that’s the case we can announce it,’ he added.
The Gunners boss refused to delve further into Arsenal’s links to Poland defender Jakub Kiwior
Arteta took time to praise the impact of his own players, including Martin Odegaard, before ruling out any further injury concerns.
‘Not that I know of. Touch wood,’ he added, when quizzed about any fresh injuries.
Arsenal will be without long-term absentee Gabriel Jesus who is recovering from knee surgery, while Mohamed Elneny and Reiss Nelson are also out.
Eddie Nketiah has so far filled the No 9 void for Arteta but with Trossard able to play in that role, the Belgian may be thrown straight in.
