Arsenal must make ruthless and ‘unpopular’ decision to sell £27m star in January

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Ahead of the January transfer window, it increasingly seems that Mikel Arteta will need to sell Arsenal players in order to see new ones arrive.

Arsenal are reportedly right at the limit of their FFP restrictions, meaning the club will likely wait until the summer for the majority of their business.

However, after defeats to West Ham United and Fulham, it definitely feels as if Arteta and Arsenal need to take advantage of the January window.

To that point, it’s often said that the likes of Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah are Arsenal’s most sellable assets – two players on the periphery of the first team.

However, those are two departures that should wait until the summer, when the club can extract better value.

For now, it’s Leandro Trossard that may have to go.

It’s bound to be a polarising call, Trossard is perhaps contributing more in games than others who could be sold.

But at 29-years-old, and yet to nail down a starting role at the club, Arsenal should consider a departure.

Although he’s had his moments, Trossard hasn’t quite had the desired effect intended, he hasn’t put pressure on either Bukayo Saka or Gabriel Martinelli’s starting role.

Mikel Arteta should consider selling Arsenal winger Leandro Trossard in January

Of course, any sale of £27m Trossard would leave a gap in the squad.

However, the arrival of a centre-forward like Ivan Toney could solve that.

Gabriel Jesus is celebrated for so many aspects of his game, but even he is now feeling the pressure of this burden to score goals.

And if Trossard’s sale could inspire a move for Toney, then the Brazilian could then enjoy some success out wide.

Jesus would provide much better competition for Saka and Martinelli, and he could also dovetail with Toney.

Arsenal’s squad would then look a lot better balanced heading into crucial Champions League and Premier League ties.

Trossard hasn’t been a failure at Arsenal, he’s added to their recent success.

But Mikel Arteta should make a bold and ruthless decision to sell the Arsenal winger in January, which could then inspire a very important signing.

Perhaps Aaron Ramsdale is Arsenal’s other sellable asset in this window, a player who is only going to depreciate in value.

But it wouldn’t seem smart to sell either Nketiah or Nelson this month, players who can still improve their game with the club.

As said, this could prove an unpopular decision with some fans, but it should stand Arsenal well in the long-run.

And speaking of the long-run, Arsenal Insider have also looked at three players the club could re-sign in 2024.