Expert: Arsenal planning to replace 'important' first-team star
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(Credit: Getty Images, Declan Rice on Instagram)
Callum O'Connell
Thu 11 September 2025 16:42, UK
Arsenal have begun working behind the scenes to identify new transfer targets ahead of the January and summer windows in 2026.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Mikel Arteta is eyeing an overhaul of his squad depth.
One player who is facing the axe as part of the manager’s long-term plans is Leandro Trossard, despite still being regarded as an “important” player for the first-team.
Trossard agreed to sign a new contract at the Emirates last month, and Arsenal have ruled out letting him leave despite interest from Turkish giants Besiktas.
However, his new deal did not extend his stay at the Emirates with his terms set to expire in 2027, leaving the door for him to leave the club next year.
Credit: Imago
Brown told Football Insider in May that Arsenal were planning to extend Trossard’s contract during the off-season despite Saudi Pro League interest.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has insisted the new contract has not impacted the Gunners’ long-term plans for the winger.
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“Trossard is an important part of the first-team squad,” he told Football Insider.
“He comes in and does a good job whenever he’s called upon, and he probably goes under the radar in terms of what he brings to the team when he does play.
I think you need people like that in the squad.
“There’s always going to be interest in taking him away even after this new contract, and from what I hear, they’d be prepared to let Trossard leave if they right offer came in.
Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media
“Whether it happens in January or next summer, they can sell him for a good price and then bring in somebody else to replace him.
“Depth is going to be so important for Arsenal, it can be the difference in their ambitions to win titles, and it’s going to be a key focus for them.
“But that doesn’t just mean bringing in new players, they’re going to look to refresh their current options too with new faces and that can make a big difference.
“That means letting players like Trossard and a couple of others leave the club.”
As a result of the new-found focus on improving squad depth, Trossard may not be the only Arsenal star earmarked for a move away next year.
Brown told Football Insider on 9 September that Arsenal want to sign Nottingham Forest’s Murillo, with squad depth now a priority for Arteta.
Defensive depth is believed to be the club’s priority, but allowing Trossard to leave would enable the boss to refresh his options at the other end of the pitch as well.
This comes amid speculation about the long-term futures of both Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli, who have also been linked with moves away.
Gabriel Jesus could also be allowed to leave Arsenal.
(Credit Imago)
Brown first told Football Insider in September 2024 that Arsenal are looking to improve their depth amid injury concerns surrounding Martin Odegaard and William Saliba.
While Trossard remains a key depth option for Arteta, he is also seen as a sellable asset, where cashing in on him would allow them to strengthen in his position.
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