Paul Merson has told Sky Sports that Arsenal made a mistake letting Leandro Trossard leave this summer, warning the decision will cost them in Europe even as he backs the club to win a second straight Premier League title.
Speaking on the broadcaster, the former Arsenal midfielder said Mikel Arteta's side moved on from the wrong player when they sanctioned Trossard's exit to Besiktas. Merson's comments come after Arsenal made several changes to their attack over the summer.
Arteta sanctioned the departures of Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, and Trossard, with only Christos Tzolis arriving as a direct attacking replacement. Bruno Guimarães, Ezri Konsa, Illan Meslier, and Piero Hincapié also joined, but none was signed to replace Trossard on the wing.
Merson made his comments when asked whether Arsenal should have pushed harder for Chelsea-bound Morgan Rogers or gone all in on Vinicius Junior instead of selling their attackers.
"I would've [signed a new winger], especially after getting rid of Martinelli and Trossard," he said. "I wouldn't get rid of Trossard, in my opinion. I think he's a good footballer and plays in the big games."
Why Merson Believes Arsenal's Attack Isn't Strong Enough For The Champions League
Merson also questioned whether Arsenal have enough quality in attack to win the Champions League, although he believes they have enough to challenge for the Premier League.
"For me, they've done enough to win the Premier League again, but I'd be surprised if they won the Champions League," he said.
Merson identified Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres as Arsenal's two recognised strikers and questioned whether either can cause enough problems for the best teams in Europe.
His doubts extend to the wings. Eberechi Eze can play on the left but is, in Merson's assessment, better suited through the middle, while Tzolis brings work rate rather than the explosive quality that changes matches on his own.
Merson's comparison point is Vinicius Junior, who he says keeps opposing full-backs awake before matches against Real Madrid in a way no Arsenal wide player currently does.
That gap between Arsenal's actual signings and the level of forward Merson thinks they needed is now the central issue.
How Arsenal's Chase For Vinicius Junior Left Other Transfer Business Unfinished
Merson also linked Trossard's departure to Arsenal's earlier pursuit of Vinicius Junior. He said Arsenal's interest in the Real Madrid winger was further along than reported and that the club spent too much time trying to make the deal happen.
By the time Arsenal ended their pursuit without an agreement, Merson believes other options were no longer available, leaving the club without another winger after selling Trossard.
Arsenal also missed out on Julian Alvarez, another forward Merson believes they should have pursued. He argued that signing either Alvarez or Vinicius Junior would have shown the club was ready to compete for the biggest names in the market.
Instead, Arsenal begin the season with largely the same squad that won the league last season, but without Trossard and without another major attacking signing to replace him.
