Second-choice Trossard proving to be first class for Arsenal in title race

When Arsenal's pursuit of Mykhailo Mudryk was hijacked by Chelsea in January, the Premier League leaders were forced to move to Plan B but their quick pivot to sign Leandro Trossard has reaped rich dividends in a high-pressure title race.

Mudryk's move from Shakhtar Donetsk to Arsenal looked a done deal with the Ukrainian winger also making no secret of his desire to move to Mikel Arteta's side until Chelsea gazumped their rivals with a 100 million euros ($108.74 million) bid.

Arsenal's top-four challenge last season imploded mainly due to the lack of experience and capable backups, but this time they moved quickly to recover from the blow and found a league-proven talent in Trossard.

The 28-year-old had started the season well with seven goals for Brighton & Hove Albion, which included a sensational hat-trick against Liverpool at Anfield.

But he was suddenly made an outcast after a falling out with new boss Roberto De Zerbi who had publicly reprimanded him.

"He knows very well that if he wants to play with Brighton with me, he has to work hard, he has to run, he has to be in the right way... I want only players who work hard and play for the team 100 per cent," De Zerbi had said in January.

Trossard's last game for Brighton was on Dec. 26 and he did not play again until Arsenal came to his rescue and brought him in for approximately a third of the price for Mudryk as the club sets their sights on their first league title in 19 years.

Out to prove a point, the versatile Belgium international winger flourished, opening his account in February before providing seven assists for Arsenal - which included a hat-trick of assists in a 3-0 win over Fulham.

Mudryk, meanwhile, has struggled to adapt at Chelsea and has only one assist to