Arsenal Line Up Late Move for “Lightning Quick” PL Star, It’s A Trossard-type Signing
Arsenal concluded their pre-season preparations on Sunday evening, fully aware that they are prepared to contend for the Premier League title once more.
While their tour of the USA yielded mixed results, their return to home ground saw them defeat the unbeaten Bundesliga champions, Bayer Leverkusen, with considerable ease. They are now set to face Lyon this weekend.
Granit Xhaka’s recent return to the Emirates Stadium was less than favorable. His side suffered a 4-1 defeat, with goals scored by Oleksandr Zinchenko, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus, and Kai Havertz.
It was notable that Leandro Trossard played almost the entire match in midweek. Although he did not stand out at Euro 2024, Trossard had become Mikel Arteta’s preferred choice on the left flank toward the end of the previous season.
A scorer of 17 goals in 2023/24, he has been a brilliant signing and Arsenal could repeat their Trossard trick this summer.
Arsenal Interested in Brighton Forward
In recent years, the Gunners have engaged in several transactions with the Seagulls. Notably, they acquired Ben White for £50 million in 2021 and later brought in Leandro Trossard during the winter transfer window of 2023.
However, their relationship faced some tension when Moises Caicedo attempted to leave the Amex Stadium in the same transfer window. Caicedo submitted a transfer request, but Arsenal did not meet the asking price, resulting in him staying with Brighton until the summer.
Current relations between the two clubs remain in question. There is a possibility they may conduct business again, as Arsenal might need to.
This weekend, Arsenal insider Teamnewsandtix reported that the north London club is considering a late bid for Ivorian winger Simon Adingra. They are closely watching his situation with a potential move before the transfer window closes. Although Transfermarkt values Adingra at £26 million, it is known that Brighton typically demands a premium price for their players.
Why Adingra is a Good Fit for Arsenal
In the winter of 2023, Arsenal made a concerted effort to secure Mykhailo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk. Despite the player’s vocal praise for Arsenal on social media, he ultimately signed with Chelsea, who offered the highest financial incentive.
In response, Arsenal’s Edu shifted focus to bringing Leandro Trossard to the Emirates, a move that has proven highly effective. Although not initially the club’s top target, Trossard made an immediate impact, providing ten assists in his first 20 league matches. Last season, he transitioned from a provider to a goalscorer, finishing as Arsenal’s second-highest scorer with 17 goals, just behind Bukayo Saka’s 20.
Given Brighton’s success in developing players like Trossard and Adingra, it seems sensible for Arsenal to consider acquisitions from this source. The scouting network at Brighton has demonstrated an impressive ability to transform players into consistent Premier League contributors.
What might Adingra offer to Arsenal? Primarily, he would add much-needed depth in positions where the team currently lacks coverage. At 22, Adingra can play on either wing, serving as a valuable backup for both Trossard on the left and Saka on the right.
Saka, a key figure for Arsenal, often accumulates excessive playing time, which contributed to him missing the final match of the 2023/24 season due to injury. Therefore, acquiring a player like Adingra could be beneficial. As Arsenal podcaster Adam Keys noted, while Adingra may not be a “marquee signing,” his “lightning pace” and other qualities make him an appealing addition to the squad.
During the previous Premier League season, the Brighton player was among the top 13% of players in his position for progressive passes received, demonstrating his constant availability for passes.
He also ranked in the top 15% for carrying the ball into the penalty area, highlighting his attacking prowess similar to Saka. Additionally, he showed his goal-scoring ability by netting 15 goals while on loan at Union Saint-Gilloise in the 2022/23 season.
| Adingra vs Premier League wingers | |
|---|---|
| Stat | Rank among PL wingers |
| Prog passes received | Top 13% |
| Progressive carries | Top 26% |
| Crosses into penalty area | Top 8% |
| SCA (take-on) | Top 19% |
| Successful take-ons | Top 24% |
| Carries into penalty area | Top 15% |
| Interceptions | Top 13% |
| Tackles | Top 21% |
| Data via FBref | |
Based on the evidence, Adingra isn’t a top-tier player just yet, but he possesses a promising set of skills. He has the ability to outplay opponents, is eager to enter the penalty area, and, notably, he also contributes defensively—something Arteta is likely to appreciate.
This summer, Arsenal has been associated with high-profile wingers, such as Nico Williams. However, given the exorbitant prices for attacking players, Adingra could offer a more budget-friendly option for the club.
In other Arsenal news, He Lost the Ball Every 2.5 Touches: Arsenal Star Just Proved He Can’t Start vs Wolves
