Leandro Trossard fits the bill as a versatile forward but Arteta must find backup for Thomas Partey

Premier League leaders Arsenal may have lost out to Chelsea in their search for Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk, but now they have a versatile striker with Premier League experience at their disposal.

The Gunners confirmed the £27m signing of Leandro Trossard from Brighton on Friday, with the striker’s tumultuous month with the Seagulls finally ending his four-year stint on the south coast.

The 28-year-old had been training alone in Brighton amid an ongoing clash with manager Roberto De Zerbi and was sacked from the team that beat Liverpool 3-0 on Saturday before continuing in exile from the first team this week.

But while Trossard’s arrival may help Mikel Arteta’s side fight for their first title in 19 years, finding a backer for Thomas Partey is another problem for the Arsenal manager to solve.

The Gunners confirmed the £27m signing of Leandro Trossard from Brighton on Friday

Gunnery boss Mikel Arteta may have strengthened his front line, but he has to find cover in central midfield.

The Gunners have made West Ham midfielder Declan Rice their main target this summer as they look to reinforce the center of the park.

The Hammers want a deal worth £100m, although there appears to be little hope the east London club will receive that fee.

The 24-year-old would provide vital competition and cover for the first-choice duo of Arteta, Granit Xhaka and Partey in midfield.

Substitutes are desirable for Arteta with Albert Sambi Lokonga and Mohamed Elneny out of favor at the Emirates, with the latter also fearing he would be out for the rest of the season after picking up a knee injury in training.

Arteta has admitted that the Gunners desperately need midfield cover and may need to raid the market again.

Arteta must find someone to cover Thomas Partey and Declan Rice has become the main target of the Gunners

At the other end of the court, the beauty of Arteta is that Trossard can play on the front line, and with games coming up, the Gunners boss may need to rotate, especially if injuries occur.

Trossard, who has seven goals and three assists in the league so far, can play from the left flank, which he often did with the Seagulls, but with competition from Gabriel Martinelli, he will have to prove himself.

The left-footed striker can also operate from the other flank, but with the in-form Bukayo Saka a candidate for that role, Arteta may have to find another position for Trossard.

Arsenal’s latest signing, who was also linked with north London rivals Tottenham, could be deployed as No. 10, but again with Martin Odegaard enjoying sensational form, Trossard may find himself falling behind in the pecking order.

Trossard’s versatility will allow Arteta to deploy him on the left, right, center and forward

Fortunately for Arteta, the versatile attacker has also played the number 9 role before, an area in which the Gunners are most vulnerable.

With Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus expected to be out for several months after undergoing knee surgery, Arteta has relied on Eddie Nketiah to step up.

Fortunately, Nketiah has brought goals to the Arsenal side, netting four times since the Gunners returned to action after the World Cup.

It’s unclear if Trossard will be Arteta’s strongest XI, but after the misery of losing Mudryk, it’s not a bad plan B at all.