The early part of January’s transfer window was dominated by one story in the Premier League – the way that Chelsea hijacked a transfer that Arsenal had been planning for a long time.
Mykhailo Mudryk had looked certain to join the Gunners, and was even posting social media hints to that effect.
But in the end Chelsea were offering Shakhtar too much money, and when it became clear Arsenal weren’t going to match that offer, the Ukraine international came to Chelsea.
Left scrambling, Arsenal ended up signing Leandro Trossard, who was forcing his way out of Brighton. It’s worked well for them – Trossard stepped in as a false 9 and looks perfect for Mikel Arteta’s system.
Meanwhile Mudryk has struggled a little at Chelsea.
Ian Wright, speaking in quotes picked up by Football.London, said he was delighted that things had worked out the way they had, and we believe him:
“They [Arsenal] didn’t get Mudryk and that might be the best thing that happened to them,” the former striker said.
“I don’t care what anyone says, Mudryk, and we’ve seen up to this point, he wouldn’t have done what Trossard has done or what Trossard has been doing up to this point.
“Mudryk, for his own sake, I do feel sorry for him because I don’t know if there’s anyone in the history of football whose had to have a transfer of that amount of money with so much politicalness around him. It’s almost unfair.”
The moves will have to be judged over many years, but there’s no denying Arsenal will be chuffed so far.
