Ben Foster Critiques Arsenal's Sale of Leandro Trossard

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

Trossard, 31, was a central part of Arsenal’s title-winning run last season, chipping in with six goals and six assists in the league as Mikel Arteta’s side finally ended a 22-year wait to lift the trophy. He was the glue in big moments, the extra pass, the late run, the cool finish.

Then he was gone.

Having made it clear he wanted a new challenge after two-and-a-half seasons in north London, the Belgian completed a £15.3 million move to Besiktas this summer. For Foster, speaking on talkSPORT, that fee and that decision simply do not add up.

“I don’t like the Trossard sale, I really don’t,” the former England goalkeeper said. “I think he’s such a big, influential player for them and I can’t believe they’ve sold him.”

Arsenal’s gamble on Tzolis

Arsenal did not step into the new season unprepared. They moved quickly to bring in Christos Tzolis as a like-for-like option on the left, paying around £34m to prise him from Club Brugge.

The Greece international arrives with a point to prove in England. His previous spell in the Premier League, a two-year stint at Norwich City, barely registered. Now he walks into a title-winning dressing room, expected to replace a proven performer in Trossard and justify a hefty fee.

Arsenal’s hierarchy had aimed even higher. They pushed for a marquee move for Vinicius Junior, believing they had a chance of tempting the Brazilian away from Real Madrid until as recently as last week. That dream evaporated when Vinicius signed a new long-term deal at the Bernabeu, leaving a question hanging over whether the Gunners will pivot to another elite forward before the window shuts.

Foster backs Bruno – and the new-look United

While Foster remains baffled by Arsenal’s outgoings, he is far more enthusiastic about one of the headline arrivals at Manchester United: Bruno Guimaraes.

“Big signing, I like him a lot,” he said of the Brazilian midfielder’s move to Old Trafford.

For Foster, the entire title race feels wide open before a ball has been kicked. No runaway favourite, no obvious juggernaut. And in that uncertainty, he sees an opportunity for his former club.

“I think it’s one of the hardest calls to make that we’ve had in recent years,” he admitted. Pressed to nail his colours to a mast, he did not hesitate.

“I’m going to say Manchester United.”

His confidence leans heavily on United’s strong finish to last season under Michael Carrick. The ex-midfielder has, in Foster’s view, reset standards and style at the club.

“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,” Foster said.

He believes United are close, but not complete.

“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 argued. The snag, of course, is the market.

“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!”

‘Signing of the summer’ – and one big gap

Among all the money flying around, one deal stands out to Foster. Youri Tielemans to Manchester United from Aston Villa.

“What a bit of business,” he said. He has watched Tottenham spend heavily, seen Arsenal open the chequebook again, yet he keeps coming back to the Belgian midfielder.

“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.

“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.”

Tielemans, in Foster’s eyes, walks straight into the team, raises the technical level and does it at a price that looks almost modest in the current market.

There is, though, one glaring hole he still sees at Old Trafford.

“I still think they need that one focal point striker, that one big boy striker,” Foster 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 roll the dice without Trossard, Tzolis steps into the spotlight, and United stride into the season with Foster tipping them for the crown – provided they find that £100m No. 9 before someone else does.