Leandro Trossard scored Arsenal’s opener against Wolves (Photo: Getty)
Jamie Redknapp reckons Arsenal dodged a bullet by missing out on Mkyhailo Mudryk and signing ‘brilliant’ Leandro Trossard instead.
Trossard scored the opening goal of Arsenal’s 2-0 win at Wolves on Saturday night which has put the Gunners back to the top of the Premier League, albeit having played a game more than Manchester City.
The Belgian international’s stunning strike alleviated his side’s nerves at Molineux before Martin Odegaard scored in injury time to seal the three points.
Though not always in Mikel Arteta’s starting XI, the forward has had a great impact since moving to the Emirates from Brighton in January 2023.
Even more so considering that he wasn’t Arteta’s first choice, as Arsenal had pursued Mudryk for several months before pulling out of a deal after Shakhtar Donetsk demanded too high a fee.
Chelsea swooped in to sign the Ukrainain for a whopping £88million, but the winger has only scored just six goals and made four assists in 51 appearances for the Blues.
‘If my mind serves me correctly they were in for Mudryk. They didn’t get him, he chose to go to Chelsea and they paid big money for him and he [Trossard] was probably the second choice,’ Liverpool icon Redknapp said on Sky Sports.
Mykhailo Mudryk has been a very expensive flop for Chelsea (Photo: Getty)
‘But if you look at the two careers up to now – and there’s nothing to say that Mudryk can’t go onto still have a good career at Chelsea – but he’s been a brilliant signing.
‘He comes up with vital goals. He gives you width, he’s comfortable on the ball.
‘When you’re looking to add players to the squad you have to make sure you bring in the right type and he’s certainly that. £27m is an absolute bargain for a tremendous player, technically good that can nick a goal.
‘I know Odegaard got the second but that was a huge moment for their season.’
Speaking post-match, Trossard himself added: ‘The resilience has been brilliant.
‘It’s always tough when you lose game but the boys showed great character and mentality. If we win our own games, then we’ll see what happens.
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‘The boss wants everyone to sprint back when there’s a counter and get involved on the defensive side. We’re all hungry to win the second ball as it’s really important nowadays in football.
‘I think it was pretty impressive, we played really well and had control most of the time. They are a good side of course and they tried to hurt us on the counter but we managed it well. We could have scored more but we’re happy with the clean sheet.’
Arsenal and Trossard will be up against Chelsea and Mudryk on Tuesday night, with the Gunners looking to extend their lead at the top of the table.
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