Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta intervened to ensure Leandro Trossard remained at the club amid strong interest from the Saudi Pro League in the summer.
Trossard completed a £20million move from Brighton to Arsenal in January 2023 and has gone on to score 19 goals in 74 appearances for the Gunners.
The Belgium international – who was shown a controversial red card in Sunday’s 2-2 thriller at Manchester City – has had to play second fiddle to Gabriel Martinelli for much of his stay in north London.
And while Arteta has often used Trossard to great effect as an impact substitute, the 29-year-old has started Arsenal’s last three matches in the Premier League.
The former Brighton man could continue his run in Arteta’s starting XI against Leicester given his one-match suspension will be served in Arsenal’s Carabao Cup tie with Bolton on Wednesday night.
According to Belgian outlet Het Nieuwsblad, Arsenal were determined to keep hold of Trossard after Al-Ittihad explored a loan move for the attacker towards the end of the summer transfer window.
The Saudi Pro League club proposed a £4.1m loan deal, with an obligation to buy set at £21m, while offering Trossard a £12.5m-a-year wage packet – three times his current salary.
The report claims Arteta is a ‘real fan’ and ‘blocked’ Trossard from making the move, with Arsenal expected to offer the player a bumper new contract in due course.
Trossard, who had ‘several’ clubs ‘knocking on his door’, is tied into a deal at the Emirates until the summer of 2026.
Arteta has repeatedly sung Trossard’s praises since the forward’s arrival at Arsenal and highlighted the Belgian’s ability to create ‘big chances’ prior to the side’s 1-1 draw with Brighton.
‘He’s been huge and not only when he starts from the bench, when he has started games, big games,’ the Arsenal boss told reporters.
‘Last season you look especially at the last quarter of the season, the amount of runs of games he had was huge.
‘He has been really consistent with his threat on goal, with his capacity to create situations and especially big chances.
‘And then without the ball what he’s doing is great, I’m really pleased with it.’