Ben Foster Critiques Arsenal's Sale of Leandro Trossard

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

Trossard, a key figure in Arsenal’s title-winning campaign last season, left north London this summer to join Besiktas in a £15.3 million deal after making clear he wanted a new challenge. The Belgian, 31, finished the league season with six goals and six assists, often delivering in tight moments as Mikel Arteta’s side finally ended their 22-year wait for the title.

Arsenal moved quickly to plug the gap, landing Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge for £34m as a like-for-like replacement on the left flank. The Greece international arrives with big expectations but a modest Premier League résumé: his previous spell in England, a two-year stint at Norwich City, never really caught fire.

That contrast only sharpened Foster’s frustration.

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

Arsenal had aimed even higher in their attacking rebuild. They pushed for a blockbuster move for Vinicius Junior and were confident for much of the summer that they could tempt the Brazilian away from Real Madrid. Those hopes evaporated last week when Vinicius signed a new long-term deal at the Bernabeu, leaving the Gunners to weigh up whether to chase an alternative before the window shuts.

One major arrival Foster does approve of sits 200 miles north.

On Bruno Guimaraes’ move to Manchester United, he was emphatic: “Big signing, I like him a lot.”

For Foster, the coming Premier League title race looks wide open before a ball has been kicked. Yet his money is on his former club.

“I think it’s one of the hardest calls to make that we’ve had in recent years,” he admitted, before nailing his colours to the mast. “I’m going to say Manchester United.

“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. 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.

“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!”

In Foster’s eyes, United may already have pulled off the coup of the window. The signing that really grabbed him was Youri Tielemans’ switch 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.

“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.”

There is, in his view, one glaring hole left in United’s squad.

“I still think they need that one focal point striker, that one big boy striker. 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.”

Arsenal’s gamble on Tzolis, United’s faith in Guimaraes and Tielemans, the looming hunt for a £100m centre-forward – Foster sees a league braced for another arms race. The question now is whose bold call in the market will define the season.