You sensed Leandro Trossard had a point to prove when he found the net with his first touch to help Arsenal on their way to a 2-0 victory at Villa Park.
Rather than wheel away in celebration after his instant impact, the Belgian barely flinched as he was mobbed by his teammates. While his eyes remained fixed on the travelling supporters going wild, you sensed his glare was directed at the manager who hadn’t trusted him to start in either of the Gunners’ first two fixtures.
Having scored five goals in the final eight games of last season, Trossard probably had high hopes of starting the new campaign as Mikel Arteta’s first pick on the left side of Arsenal’s attack. As it happens, the Spaniard has twice picked Gabriel Martinelli only for the Brazilian to produce laboured performances.
There’s no doubt Trossard’s cameo has given the manager a headache ahead of next weekend’s game with former club Brighton, something the manager admitted in his own post-game comments.
Reflecting on his impact and the fact he was immediately alert, the 29-year-old told Sky Sports: “That’s how I always approach the game, I want to feel the ball, that’s the type of player I am.
“In the first half, obviously, I’m on the bench and I can look at the game and I knew there was space in behind and I’m just hoping the ball is going to land around the penalty spot there. I’m reading it and with my first touch, I get the goal. The ball comes to me perfectly and all I have to do is put it in the back of the net.
On his subdued celebration and whether it was linked to not being selected in the starting lineup, he said: “I think everyone wants to start and play games, obviously. But it’s always nice to help the team and get my goal and get off to a good start for myself as well this season.
“It’s all emotions as well. And when you score, it’s almost like you don’t know what is happening. And I’m just very pleased that I helped the team again tonight. It’s an important one for us and we can look forward to the next game.
He added: “It’s not about expecting [to start matches], I know the competition and the team and I think it’s good for everyone and we push each other but obviously, when you do very well, everyone wants to start and play games. I’m very happy that I helped the team and I had an impact again and that’s all I can do.”
Trossard’s movement was also vital in the build-up to the Gunners’ second goal. The Belgian sprung the Villa defence with a run behind, collected a ball from Gabriel Magalhaes and fizzed a ball across the box that Bukayo Saka eventually picked up at the back post. The England international, who’d assisted Trossard, laid the ball on a plate for Thomas Partey who found the net from the edge of the area.
“I told Gabi that he had to look for me behind because I knew there’d be space,” said Trossard as he reflected on his role.
“The first ball before this he didn’t do it, the second ball he puts a perfect ball in behind and then it’s a good finish from Thomas.
“Obviously, every opposition is different, but we always try to explore their weaknesses, and I think in the second half, we have done that.”
Trossard deserves to start
Agreed, but does he have the same impact when he does?
He doesn’t – that’s the problem. He should be an impact sub for us: he does better when he comes in as a sub.
He is more productive and connects better in every way in our team, our play, helps.fluidity, just more rounded player than Martinelli. So, if he plays more.minutes we will have more.output… there is no such thing as being better as an impact sub.
Agreed. Leo’s celebration said it all. That was his Gladiator “Are you not entertained?” moment and it was 100% directed at Arteta. The whole “he’s better off the bench” is complete and utter nonsense and always has been. For every minute Arteta continues to play Martinelli over Trossard it impedes our progress in developing a left-side as lethal as our right. Martinelli is a poor man’s Saka, Leo gives us something so different, clever and lethal.
Sub is fine. But he need to be given more time.
It’s unrealistic to expect Trossard to have the same impact. If he were scoring close to a goal for every 10 minutes played as an impact sub, one doesn’t expect 9 goals in 90. To state the obvious, Martinelli and Trossard are extremely different players. Martinelli’s desire to go solo at defenders is important for wearing down defenders, but I wonder if it can undermine combination play and relationships. Trossard’s decision-making is god-like, and his anticipation is second to none. But Martinelli’s ability to track back defensively is very hard to beat. It will be interesting to see if Arteta… Read more »
If we are looking for a goal he is the one I want in. Also I think Martinellis defensive actions are highly underrated. Today he played a missive role on silencing a tricky winger
Very good point on Martinellis defensive work.
that is true, also, Martinelli is very fast and he stretches defences. Trossard is so bright! Really brilliant.
Also Martinelli knackers them out first.
As long as Martinelli is showing indifferent form by his standards, Trossard surely has to start on the left. Let the two Gabis be the impact subs with their pace and movement against tiring defenders.
I’m just pleased Trossard is here.
Didn’t look too pleased there… 😇
Brilliant lobbed through ball by big Gabby there too btw, always knew he had some of that Brazilian creativity in there (fine I didn’t actually know and would never have guessed it)
He played too GREAT ones today — I think he started the move that culminated in Ode’s great chance. And then there was a pass he made to Timber in the first half, too. They ALL keep improving aspects of their games season after season under Mikel and his staff. Says a lot about the level of coaching they are getting.
Martinelli isn’t bad at all. He’s actually unbelievably good but doesn’t get the same support Saka gets. Our game is skewed towards the right wing due to our chief creator being left footed and Ben White’s licence to roam forward. Martinelli shone during the Tierney and Xhaka era for exactly the same reason. Of course Trossard does give an end product from the same position but that’s helped by his predilection to drift into the left 9 position, while Martinelli goes to the touchline. Why can’t we try Martinelli as a striker? He’s done it before and that could allow… Read more »
Martinelli hasn’t earned his place in the side, Arteta has to get something going with him soon. If Trossard fits the team better he should be starting.
Most of the goals Martinelli scored early last season and the season before he scored by drifting in into the box and around the penalty spot and meeting balls that come from Saka, Jesus or Odeegard. These days, he hogs the byline and runs himself into tough spots. His well-served cut-back isn’t there anymore and his decision-making hasn’t been great lately.
Experience counts
Cool as a cucumber, Leonard Trossard.😀
Both goals scored when I was in the kitchen, so suppose I’ll be living here for the foreseeable
🤣🤣🤣
Good use of our left sided players. Don’t forget, even if Martinelli doesn’t score or assist, he runs the legs off of the defenders. This means Leo can have more of an impact when he joins the game. Not only do they have tired legs but brain fatigue too from chasing gabi for 60 mins or so.
Has to start the next game, arteta said the place in the team is based on performances… well!!!