Mudryk was intercepted by Chelsea; Arsenal's backup plan was to sign Trossard, making him the most accurate Gunner.

In the 19th round of the Premier League, during a top-three clash, Arsenal ended Aston Villa's 11-match winning streak across all competitions with a 4-1 home victory, avenging their previous defeat and moving to lead the Premier League table by 5 points. In this match, 31-year-old Belgian forward Trossard started as the left winger, contributing both a goal and an assist, playing a crucial role in Arsenal's win in this high-profile encounter. After the game, Trossard received the highest rating of 8.9.

Did you know? This Belgian forward, known among Arsenal fans as the "second Merino, first Trossard" for his shooting skill, was originally Arsenal’s second choice. During the 2023 winter transfer window, Arsenal’s first target to strengthen the winger position was the Ukrainian winger Mudryk, but Chelsea outbid them with a hefty total fee of 100 million euros. Arsenal had to settle and signed Trossard from Premier League club Brighton for 24 million euros. Three years on, Trossard has made 144 appearances across all competitions for Arsenal, scoring 34 goals and providing 28 assists. Capable of both creating and scoring, he is an important rotational player in Arteta’s tactical setup on the frontline.

Meanwhile, Mudryk has been suspended for over a year due to doping violations, with no clear return date to the pitch. Even if the variable payments are not triggered, Chelsea’s fixed transfer fee of 70 million euros has essentially been wasted. Meanwhile, Trossard, signed at a low price, has become Arsenal’s most accurate shooter, greatly enhancing Arteta’s tactical options.

Football is like life; a blessing in disguise. Arsenal missed out on Mudryk but brought in Trossard, who became the "most accurate Gunner."