Arsenal 'make double transfer U-turn' as Mikel Arteta holds 'positive' talks with experienced duo

Arsenal have allegedly made a U-turn on the futures of Leandro Trossard and Oleksandr Zinchenko, who are now both set to remain at the Emirates Stadium for the 2025-26 season.

The Belgian attacker and Ukrainian defender have both been tipped to seek pastures new this summer, with the former potentially facing added competition for left-wing minutes next season.

As well as signing Noni Madueke from Chelsea, Arsenal remain in hot pursuit of Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze, whom they could firm up their interest in now that Viktor Gyokeres's signing has been confirmed.

Meanwhile, Zinchenko is now arguably Mikel Arteta's third-choice left-back behind Myles Lewis-Skelly and Riccardo Calafiori, and the versatile Ukrainian started just five Premier League matches in the 2024-25 season.

Zinchenko and Trossard are also both in the final years of their contracts at the Emirates Stadium, leaving Arsenal at risk of losing both on free transfers in 2026 if no sale or renewal is agreed.

Zinchenko, Trossard to stay at Arsenal after 'positive' Arteta talks

However, in a surprise turn of events, FootballTransfers claims that the pair are expected to stay at Arsenal for one more season, having held 'positive' discussions with head coach Arteta.

The report claims that the Gunners boss wants to keep both Trossard and Zinchenko at the club for the 2025-26 season, and 'all parties are aligned' on continuing the partnership for at least another year.

Furthermore, Trossard is supposedly on the verge of signing a new contract at the Emirates Stadium after talks stalled earlier this year, allegedly due to the club not offering him a salary increase.

The former Brighton & Hove Albion man is said to be fully committed to the Arsenal cause, despite tentative links with Bayern Munich, who are now on the verge of signing Liverpool winger Luis Diaz.

Meanwhile, Arteta apparently had to talk Zinchenko into staying at the club, as the former Manchester City defender originally wanted to explore opportunities elsewhere due to his lack of game time.

However, thanks to a 'series of conversations' with his manager, the Ukraine international will continue in red and white for one more year, but a contract extension does not appear to be in the pipeline.

Arsenal 'to keep' Trossard and Zinchenko; the right decisions?

Arsenal may very well bring in no fewer than three attackers this summer if a deal can be struck for Eze, but after the injury crisis of 2024-25, Arteta cannot have too offensive-minded players available to him.

Furthermore, the Gunners can almost always rely on Trossard to be fit and available, as the Belgian appeared in all 38 Premier League games last season and boasts a phenomenal fitness record.

However, as Zinchenko is seemingly unlikely to extend his terms, and his game time will likely remain scarce next season, maybe a sale would have been the better course of action.

Instead, barring an unexpected contract U-turn, Arsenal will lose the Ukraine international for nothing next summer, when they could have realistically asked for around £15m to £20m in the current market.