Mikel Arteta has reportedly left the door open for Leandro Trossard to play for Arsenal again, with the Belgian winger continuing to be remembered fondly at the Emirates despite his departure from the club earlier this year.
Trossard’s Arsenal chapter officially came to an end during the summer transfer window when he completed a permanent move to Turkish side Besiktas. The 31-year-old had spent more than three years with the Gunners after arriving from Brighton in January 2023, becoming one of the most reliable attacking players in Mikel Arteta’s squad.
Although his departure marked the end of an important period, the idea of Trossard eventually returning to Arsenal has generated interest among supporters. The Belgian was particularly valued for his versatility, experience and ability to contribute from different attacking positions, and those qualities made him an important part of Arteta’s squad throughout his time in north London.
The latest claim surrounding Arteta’s position suggests that the Arsenal manager would not completely rule out another chapter for Trossard if circumstances were to change in the future.
Trossard’s departure was confirmed by Arsenal in July, with the club agreeing a permanent transfer with Besiktas. The Belgian left after making 174 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions, scoring 36 goals and providing 34 assists. He also played an important role during Arsenal’s successful Premier League campaign, contributing six goals and six assists in 31 league appearances during his final season at the club.
Those numbers underline why Trossard’s departure was significant. He was not simply a squad player who occasionally appeared when Arsenal needed rotation. Over time, he established himself as one of the players Arteta could trust whenever the team needed an attacking spark.
One of Trossard’s biggest strengths was his ability to operate in several positions. He could play from the left wing, move centrally, operate behind the striker or even contribute as a false nine when Arsenal needed a different attacking approach. That flexibility was particularly useful to Arteta because the Arsenal manager often demanded positional changes from his forwards during matches.
Trossard was also capable of producing decisive moments without needing to dominate an entire match. His movement between the lines, ability to combine with teammates and willingness to make intelligent runs frequently allowed him to create opportunities in situations where Arsenal were struggling to break down defensive opponents.
During his Arsenal career, he became particularly effective in matches where Arteta needed an experienced player who could immediately influence the game.
That relationship between player and manager was visible during the final months of Trossard’s Arsenal career. In May 2026, Trossard scored the decisive goal in Arsenal’s 1-0 Premier League victory over West Ham, a result that helped the Gunners maintain their position at the top of the table during their title run-in.
That moment was another example of the type of contribution Trossard repeatedly made under Arteta.
The Belgian did not always have to start matches to make an impact. He could come from the bench and change the tempo of an attacking move, exploit tired defenders or provide the finishing touch to a chance created by Arsenal’s other forwards.
For Arteta, that kind of player can be extremely valuable.
However, Arsenal’s decision to allow Trossard to leave was also part of a much bigger restructuring of the squad. The club wanted to refresh the attacking department and strengthen the left side, while several senior forwards were allowed to depart during the summer.
Trossard was ultimately one of several attacking players to leave Arsenal, alongside Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus. The departures created significant changes in Arteta’s forward options going into the new campaign.
Arsenal subsequently brought in Christos Tzolis as one of the players expected to provide width and attacking threat, while Arteta continued to rely on players such as Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard.
That restructuring means a return for Trossard would be complicated, but it would also make his qualities easy to appreciate in hindsight.
The Belgian’s experience of Arteta’s tactical system could potentially make him an attractive option if Arsenal ever needed another experienced attacker in the future.
Trossard also left Arsenal with a strong relationship with the dressing room. Arteta previously spoke positively about the importance of maintaining good relationships with players even after difficult decisions are made.
In September, Arteta discussed Trossard’s departure and contrasted the Belgian’s situation with that of Gabriel Jesus. The Arsenal manager emphasized the importance of how relationships develop after players leave the club, suggesting that the connection between former Arsenal players and the club does not necessarily disappear when their careers move elsewhere.
That is significant when considering the possibility of Trossard one day returning.
Football is full of examples of players leaving clubs before eventually returning in a different role. Sometimes a player comes back as an experienced squad member, while in other cases former players return as coaches, mentors or members of the club’s wider structure.
For Trossard, a playing return would depend on several factors, including his performances in Turkey, Arsenal’s squad needs and Arteta’s plans for the future.
At the moment, the Belgian’s focus is expected to be on establishing himself at Besiktas and continuing his career away from the Premier League.
Nevertheless, the emotional connection between Trossard and Arsenal is unlikely to disappear immediately.
The winger spent a significant part of his career at the club and experienced some of the biggest moments of Arsenal’s recent history. He played under intense pressure, competed for major trophies and became a trusted member of Arteta’s squad.
His performances also helped him earn a reputation among Arsenal supporters as a player who could be relied upon when opportunities came his way.
One of the most memorable aspects of his Arsenal career was his consistency in producing important contributions despite sometimes beginning matches on the bench.
That characteristic made him particularly useful to Arteta.
The Arsenal manager’s football requires players to understand multiple positions and adapt quickly to different match situations. Trossard was comfortable doing that, and his intelligence allowed him to move between positions without disrupting the team’s structure.
That versatility could theoretically make him useful to Arsenal again if the club eventually decided that another experienced attacking option was needed.
There is also the question of Trossard’s experience.
As Arsenal’s squad continues to evolve, young players are being introduced into the first-team environment. Having experienced footballers around them can provide valuable support, particularly during difficult periods of a long season.
Trossard had already experienced the demands of playing for Arsenal, the pressure of competing for Premier League titles and the expectations that come with representing a major European club.
That experience would be difficult to replace.
Arteta has repeatedly emphasized the importance of trusting the players already in his squad. After Arsenal’s summer transfer window, he defended the quality of his attacking options and urged supporters to focus on the players available rather than those who had left or those Arsenal had failed to sign.
That suggests Arsenal are committed to moving forward with their current group rather than immediately looking backward.
Still, football can change quickly.
Injuries, transfers, tactical changes and unexpected opportunities can completely alter a club’s plans. A player who appears to have closed one chapter can sometimes find himself back at the same club several years later.
For Trossard, such a scenario would undoubtedly attract enormous attention.
Arsenal supporters have already seen what the Belgian can provide. His record of 36 goals and 34 assists in 174 appearances demonstrates the level of contribution he made during his time in north London.
He also left after helping Arsenal win the Premier League title, giving his Arsenal career a major piece of silverware and an important place in the club’s recent history.
If the reported suggestion that Arteta could consider Trossard again eventually becomes reality, it would represent a fascinating twist.
The player who arrived from Brighton as an important attacking addition could potentially return to Arsenal later in his career as an experienced figure capable of helping younger teammates and providing quality from the bench or in selected matches.
For now, however, Trossard is a Besiktas player, and Arsenal have moved forward without him.
The idea of a return remains a future possibility rather than an established transfer plan.
What is clear is that Trossard’s contribution to Arsenal will not be forgotten. He arrived when the club needed attacking reinforcements, adapted quickly to Arteta’s demands, delivered important goals and became one of the manager’s most flexible attacking options.
His departure brought an end to that chapter, but the relationship between the player and the club remains an important part of his Arsenal story.
If circumstances ever bring the two sides together again, Trossard would return with something he did not have when he first arrived: years of experience playing under Arteta, a Premier League title on his résumé and a deep understanding of what is required to succeed at Arsenal.
For now, the focus remains on his new challenge in Turkey. But the possibility of another Arsenal chapter is the kind of storyline that could remain alive for years, particularly if Arteta continues to value the qualities that made Trossard such an important player during his time at the Emirates.