Arteta blocked bid that would have tripled Arsenal star’s salary

Arsenal return to action on Wednesday when they host League One Bolton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup third round. 

Mikel Arteta’s side were held to a 2-2 draw by reigning Premier League champions Manchester City in a thrilling encounter at The Etihad on Sunday.

The Gunners had come from behind to lead the Citizens, before winger Leandro Trossard was sent off on the stroke of half-time.

Despite their numerical advantage, City were unable to find an equaliser until the eighth minute of added time, when central defender John Stones netted from close range to rescue a point for the hosts.

In the wake of the match, it has emerged that Arteta blocked Trossard from leaving the club over the summer.

As per Belgian outfit Het Nieuwsblad via Metro, Arsenal rejected a late move for Trossard from Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad.

The report claims that The Saudi Arabian side made an offer to take the Belgian on loan for an initial fee of £4.1 million, with an obligation to buy the player for  further £21 million.

Al-Ittihad also offered Trossard a contract that would have earned him a staggering £12.5 million-per-year – around treble his current salary with the Gunners.

Trossard joined Arsenal from fellow Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion in January last year, and he has now played 74 times for Arteta’s side.

The Belgium international has scored a number of important goals for the Gunners, including the winning goal against Manchester United towards the end of last season.

It is claimed that Arteta is a huge fan of Trossard and therefore blocked the player from departing, although it isn’t clear whether Trossard himself would have wanted the move.

Arsenal are expected to offer the winger a bumper new deal in the near future in recognition of his importance to Arteta’s side.