Ben Foster Critiques Arsenal's Sale of Trossard

Ben Foster has torn into Arsenal’s decision to sell Leandro Trossard this summer, insisting he “can’t believe” the Premier League champions have let such an “influential” figure walk out of the door.

Foster stunned by Trossard exit

Trossard was central to Arsenal’s title-winning campaign last season, a clever, flexible attacker who chipped in with six goals and six assists as Mikel Arteta’s side finally ended a 22-year wait to be crowned champions of England.

At 31, though, the Belgian pushed for a new challenge after two-and-a-half seasons in north London and Arsenal agreed to a £15.3 million deal with Besiktas. For Foster, that price – and the decision itself – still makes little sense.

“I don’t like the Trossard sale, I really don’t,” the former England goalkeeper told talkSPORT as he ran through Arsenal’s summer business. “I think he’s such a big, influential player for them and I can’t believe they’ve sold him.”

Arsenal had prepared for the possibility. Christos Tzolis arrived from Club Brugge for around £34m, earmarked as the like-for-like replacement on the left flank. The Greece international does have previous experience in England from a two-year spell at Norwich City, but that stint hardly lit up the Premier League.

Now he steps into the space Trossard has left behind – and into the glare that comes with a hefty fee and a title-winning squad to break into.

Arsenal also aimed even higher. They explored a statement move for Vinicius Junior and, right up until last week, believed they had a chance of tempting the Brazilian away from Real Madrid. That hope disappeared when Vinicius signed a new long-term contract at the Bernabeu, leaving a question hanging over whether the Gunners will pivot to another marquee forward before the window shuts.

Guimaraes gets a thumbs up

If Foster is baffled by the Trossard decision, he is far more enthusiastic about one of Arsenal’s rivals landing Bruno Guimaraes.

On the Brazil midfielder’s arrival, he was brief but emphatic: “Big signing, I like him a lot.”

Guimaraes’ move adds yet another layer to what Foster sees as a wide-open title race before a ball has even been kicked.

Wide-open race – and a bold Manchester United call

For all the money spent at the top end of the table, Foster believes this is one of the most unpredictable seasons in years.

“I think it’s one of the hardest calls to make that we’ve had in recent years,” he said.

Pressed to nail down a champion, he didn’t sit on the fence. “I’m going to say Manchester United.”

His optimism is rooted in the way United finished last season under Michael Carrick, with the former midfielder’s stewardship sparking what Foster sees as a clear identity and demand on the squad.

“Last season’s form has set into motion a style of play and an expectation of what those players have to deliver week in, week out for Manchester United,” he explained.

There is a caveat. For Foster, United still need one or two major additions to turn potential into a genuine title tilt.

“If they can add another one or two then Manchester United are definitely within a shout, but they need to add one or two big ones,” he said. “The problem nowadays is that if you’re going to add one or two big ones then it’s £200m. Liverpool need a couple of big ones!”

Tielemans hailed as ‘signing of the summer’

Among the flurry of deals across the division, one transfer stands out to Foster above the rest: Youri Tielemans’ move to Manchester United from Aston Villa.

“What a bit of business,” he said. “I’ve watched a load of transfers happen, Tottenham spending a lot of money, Arsenal have just spent a lot of money, but I still think Youri Tielemans is the signing of the summer so far.”

United paid around £30–35m for the Belgian midfielder, a fee Foster believes represents serious value in a market where elite players routinely change hands for three times that amount.

“For £30m (£35m), whatever it was, he is a ready-made, good-to-go, starting XI player and if you can spend that money on a ready-to-go starter then it’s worth every single penny.”

Even with Tielemans on board, Foster still sees one glaring hole.

“I still think they need that one focal point striker, that one big boy striker,” he said. “The problem is, where are you going to get it from? And it’s going to cost you £100m, it’s the way it goes nowadays.”

So Arsenal head into their title defence having cashed in on Trossard and gambled on Tzolis, while United stride towards the new season with Tielemans in midfield and a £100m question hanging over their attack.