Ben Foster Critiques Arsenal's Sale of Influential Leandro Trossard
Ben Foster has torn into Arsenal’s decision to cash in on Leandro Trossard this summer, branding the Belgian too “influential” to lose as the Premier League champions reshape their attack.
Trossard was central to Arsenal’s title triumph last season, chipping in with six goals and six assists in the league as Mikel Arteta’s side finally ended a 22-year wait to lift the trophy. He operated as a glue player in the final third, knitting moves together, popping up with key contributions and offering versatility across the front line.
Yet after two-and-a-half seasons in north London, the 31-year-old pushed for a new challenge. Arsenal agreed, sanctioning a £15.3 million move to Besiktas that raised eyebrows across the division.
Foster, for one, is stunned.
“I don’t like the Trossard sale, I really don’t,” the former England and Manchester United goalkeeper said on talkSPORT. “I think he’s such a big, influential player for them and I can’t believe they’ve sold him.”
Arsenal move on with Tzolis after Vinicius blow
Arsenal did not step into the dark without a plan. They moved for Christos Tzolis, bringing in the Greece international from Club Brugge for around £34m as a like-for-like replacement on the left.
Tzolis has been here before, briefly. His two-year spell with Norwich City in English football hardly made a dent, and that history now shadows his return. This time, though, he arrives as a title-winner’s signing, expected to plug straight into a side with ambitions of going again.
There will be scrutiny. A £34m fee demands it. Arsenal see a winger who has rebuilt his reputation on the continent, but he steps into a dressing room that has just lost a proven Premier League performer in Trossard.
Arsenal’s hierarchy also flirted with something far more glamorous. They pushed hard for Vinicius Junior, believing a deal to prise him away from Real Madrid was not out of the question until last week. That dream evaporated when the Brazilian committed his future to the Bernabeu with a new long-term contract.
Whether Arsenal now pivot to an alternative attacking target before the deadline remains unclear. The Trossard decision, though, is already being judged.
Guimaraes gets Foster’s seal of approval
Foster did find one move he could fully get behind: the arrival of Bruno Guimaraes at Manchester United.
“Big signing, I like him a lot,” he said, offering a sharp contrast to his doubts over Arsenal’s business.
The Brazilian midfielder adds presence, bite and quality on the ball, and his signing feeds into Foster’s growing belief that the title race is as open as it has been in years – and that his old club are ready to pounce.
“I think it’s one of the hardest calls to make that we’ve had in recent years,” Foster admitted when asked to pick a champion. Then he nailed his colours to the mast.
“I’m going to say Manchester United.”
United tipped to mount serious title charge
Foster’s confidence in United stems from what he saw at the back end of last season under Michael Carrick. Performances sharpened. Results followed. A pattern, he believes, has been set.
“Last season’s form has set into motion a style of play and an expectation of what those players have to deliver week in, week out for Manchester United,” he said.
He is not blind to what still needs to happen. United, in his view, are close – but not complete.
“If they can add another one or two then Manchester United are definitely within a shout, but they need to add one or two big ones,” he warned.
The issue, as every elite club knows, is the cost.
“The problem nowadays is that if you’re going to add one or two big ones then it’s £200m. Liverpool need a couple of big ones!”
Tielemans hailed as ‘signing of the summer’
Amid the swirl of mega deals, Foster singled out a piece of business he believes could define the window: Manchester United’s capture of Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa.
“What a bit of business,” he said, barely disguising his admiration.
“I’ve watched a load of transfers happen, Tottenham spending a lot of money, Arsenal have just spent a lot of money, but I still think Youri Tielemans is the signing of the summer so far.
“For £30m (£35m), whatever it was, he is a ready-made, good-to-go, starting XI player and if you can spend that money on a ready-to-go starter then it’s worth every single penny.”
Tielemans brings Premier League nous, composure in possession and a knack for big-game moments. For Foster, that blend at that price is rare in a market where numbers have drifted far beyond logic.
One gap remains, though, and he was blunt about it.
“I still think they need that one focal point striker, that one big boy striker. The problem is, where are you going to get it from? And it’s going to cost you £100m, it’s the way it goes nowadays.”
Arsenal gamble, United build – and the clock is ticking
So as the new season looms, the picture is sharp. Arsenal have let an “influential” title-winner in Trossard walk for a modest fee, placed their faith in Tzolis and missed out on Vinicius. United have added Guimaraes and Tielemans, and still hunt the heavyweight No.9 that could turn Foster’s prediction into reality.
The money is huge, the margins smaller than ever. The question now is simple: who finishes their squad in time to make this open title race truly theirs?
