The secret transfer enquiry rejected by Arsenal already worth three Premier League points

Arsenal forward Leandro Trossard was handed a pay-rise in August when he signed fresh terms with the Gunners, though his deal still expires in the summer of 2027

In the final week of the summer transfer window, Arsenal received a discreet late enquiry for attacker Leandro Trossard.

The Belgian had just penned fresh terms with the Gunners and while his contract wasn't formally extended, he was handed a pay-rise to reflect the importance of his role within Mikel Arteta's squad.

Roma were the interested party in question and the Italian outfit were keen to discover whether the 30-year-old would be available following the £67.5million capture of Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze.

The dialogue did not go very far, hence why there was little speculation published within media circles about the Giallorossi's advances for the versatile forward.

Since Arsenal rejected a bid from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad for Trossard's services in September 2024, the Belgian international has frequently been mooted as a player that could depart the Emirates Stadium for pastures new.

Turkish giants Fenerbahce were keen on his signature during the summer and several clubs from the Saudi Pro League had monitored his situation closely but Arteta never once actively considered pushing him towards the exit door.

Not only was the Spaniard's faith in the ex-Brighton forward reflected within the terms of his new deal but it's also since been reflected in his playing time this season having started each of Arsenal's past seven Premier League matches.

While Gabriel Martinelli is currently sidelined with a groin issue, Trossard has re-established himself as the Gunners' first-choice starting left-winger and on the basis of his recent contributions, he will take some shifting.

Arsenal insiders describe 'Leo' as a level-headed professional that is never affected by outside noise. Instead, he relishes his backstage role as one of the unsung heroes of Arsenal's title-chasing squad.

When Trossard netted from the bench in a 2-0 win at Aston Villa in August 2024, Arteta paid tribute to his character, stating: "When you don’t get picked, there are certain ways to react.

"Leo is upset, but he is upset and shows on the pitch how good he is – not upset and comes in and reacts badly. That is a huge quality. Then, when you put him in the starting line-up, he does exactly the same thing."

It was a challenging summer for Trossard following a third successive second-place Premier League finish.

Long-term agent Josy Comhair, who the Belgian has worked with for the entirety of his professional career, could no longer continue the pair's professional collaboration due to health problems and the 30-year-old later signed with German agency DH Sports and Entertainment.

A notable percentage of Arsenal's fan base had also questioned whether it was time to part company with Trossard but he has continued to prove critics wrong, already registering four goals and four assists in all competitions this term including Saturday's firecracker at Sunderland.

In fact, his two Premier League strikes alone have been worth three precious top-flight points for Arsenal after he also fired the winner in the 1-0 victory at Fulham last month.

Players like Trossard, an initial £21million innovative steal from Brighton in January 2023, are worth their weight in gold during the ferocity of a title charge, particularly when you are also striving to yield results in Europe and domestic cups.

Come the end of the season, Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta's collective decision to keep hold of the potent attacker might just prove to be one of their most-important pieces of transfer business.The secret transfer approach rejected by Arsenal already worth three Premier League points.