Things just keep getting better and better for Arsenal this season.
Mikel Arteta’s side remain undefeated in the Champions League going into their game against Bayern Munich on Wednesday and, following their 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, are six points clear atop the Premier League table.
The star of their derby win was unquestionably hat-trick hero Eberechi Eze, but there was also another stellar performance from Leandro Trossard, who scored and assisted a goal.
The Belgian has been in sensational form so far this year, but based on recent reports, his long-term place at Arsenal could be in danger.
Arsenal target Trossard upgrade
Towards the end of last season, it felt like there was a strong chance that Trossard would be one of the players sold by Arsenal in the summer.
A move away seemed even more likely when reports touting him to sides in Turkey and Germany started to pop up in July.
However, the club opted to keep him and hand him a pay rise instead, which, following his return of ten goal involvements in 15 appearances, is a decision that has been more than justified.
With that said, it now looks like the Gunners are looking to sign an upgrade on the former Brighton & Hove Albion gem.
At least that is according to a report from Spain, which claims Arsenal have reignited their intense interest in Rodrygo.
The report has revealed that the North Londoners have held internal talks over the potential move and, according to other sources, are preparing a proposal of €80m, including add-ons, which comes to around £70m.
The good news is that Real Madrid would consider selling the Brazilian international, though the bad news is that Liverpool are also said to be keen.
Therefore, it could be a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Rodrugo’s ability, one worth pursuing, especially as he could be an upgrade on Trossard.
How Rodrygo compares to Trossard
Now, it would be fair to say that so far this year, Trossard has been unreal and is arguably performing at a level Arsenal fans have not seen from him before.
At the same time, Rodrygo is struggling for game time and to make any sort of impact at all at Real Madrid.
Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the Belgian is massively outperforming the Brazilian so far this season.
However, that does not mean the former Brighton star is a better player than the multiple Champions League winner, as when looking back over the last few years, it becomes apparent that the opposite is true.
For example, in 54 appearances across all competitions last season, the former Santos gem produced 25 goal involvements, which comes out to an average of one every 2.16 games.
In contrast, the Gunners’ number 11 produced 20 goal involvements in 56 appearances, which comes out to a less impressive average of a goal involvement every 2.8 games.
It was the same story the year before as well.
For example, the Real Madrid star produced 26 goal involvements in 51 appearances, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.96 games.
Games
54
56
Goals
14
10
Assists
11
10
Games
51
46
Goals
17
17
Assists
9
3
The Waterschei-born gem, on the other hand, produced 20 goal involvements in 46 appearances, which again came out to a less impressive average of one every 2.3 games.
In other words, Los Blancos’ dynamic attacker, whom analyst Spencer Mossman has dubbed “one of the best wingers in the world,” is generally far more of a goal threat than the North Londoners’ £27m man.
Moreover, the 37-capped international also has far more experience in Europe’s top competition, the Champions League, and has played a pivotal role in the Spanish giants winning it twice in recent years.
For example, in 67 games in the competition, he has scored 25 goals and provided 16 assists, and eight of those goals have come in the knockout rounds.
Ultimately, while he’s not in the best of form at the moment, Rodrygo is an undeniably sensational footballer, and if Arsenal have the chance to sign him, they should do so, even if it would be bad news for Trossard’s place in the side.
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