Arsenal’s Old Selling Habit Returns as Trossard Departure Looms

Arsenal have agreed to sell Leandro Trossard to Besiktas for a package that could reach €20 million, and critics say the club is falling into a familiar trap. The Belgian winger, who started last season’s Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, will leave the Emirates with just one year left on his contract. The deal is worth an initial €18 million, plus €2 million in add-ons — a figure that feels low for a player of his pedigree, especially in today’s inflated market. Mikel Arteta has transformed Arsenal from a midtable side into Premier League champions. The club’s recruitment has been sharp, the set‑piece coaching has been inspired, and no key player has been sold to a direct rival. But one weakness remains: selling players for real value. Remarkably, Arsenal’s record sale remains Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain’s €37 million move to Liverpool in 2017. He is the only Arsenal player to have fetched more than €35 million in the 21st century. Across town, Chelsea have completed 20 such sales since 2000, allowing them to spend freely despite financial rules. Arsenal simply cannot afford that luxury. Trossard joins Jakub Kiwior (€17m to Porto) and Karl Hein (€3m to Werder Bremen) as this summer’s departures. While age and contract length explain the modest fee, the Gunners could have pushed for more given Trossard’s impact — he often started ahead of Gabriel Martinelli last season. Arsenal’s inability to maximise revenue through outgoings may soon hinder their ability to land top targets, such as Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers. The pattern is clear: Arsenal are making the same mistake again.