Mikel Arteta was glowing in his praise for January signing Leandro Trossard after the Belgian produced a trio of assists to help Arsenal to a comfortable 3-0 win at Fulham.
After limping off during last weekend’s win over Bournemouth complaining about a groin issue, the 28-year-old was a doubt for the trip to Craven Cottage but declared himself fit on Friday and was immediately restored to the starting lineup having missed the midweek trip to Lisbon.
Playing as a false nine and dovetailing with Gabriel Martinelli on the left flank, Trossard was a constant thorn in Fulham’s side as the Gunners produced one of their best performances of the season.
His corner on 21 minutes was met by the head of Gabriel Magalhaes before two pin-point crosses, also before half time, were despatched by Martinelli, with his head, and the left foot of captain Martin Odegaard.
The former Brighton man should have left west London with a goal of his own but his finishing wasn’t quite up to scratch when two chances fell his way.
After the match, his boss lit up when he spoke about the January arrival: “We talk about composure and finding the right pass and looking to the right colour in the box when it’s very blurry and a lot of players rush decisions…he’s the opposite.
“He created three goals, he could have scored two, I think he was really impressive.
“And not only that, he had an injury a few days ago and that injury could have taken another week or 10 days and he was really willing to come back early.
“The physios, the doctors did really well to do that and that changes things in a team. We needed him today and his contribution was superb.”
While Trossard wasn’t Arteta’s first choice January signing, the fact he arrived at the club with plenty of Premier League experience appears to be playing to Arsenal’s advantage.
The boss also thinks he’s picked up an attacker with an innate understanding of the game.
“His football intelligence is really clever to understand what you want, what is required, what is his role and he’s executing it really well,” said Arteta.
In addition to Trossard’s timely return, Gabriel Jesus also made his long-awaited comeback from injury after three months sidelined by knee surgery.
The Brazil international was eased into action with 15 minutes remaining and showed flashes of why he was so important in the first third of the season, chasing down opponents and coming close to adding to his side’s tally.
“It’s a big boost. The first step was today and we didn’t know if this was the right game for him today,” said Arteta.
“A few days ago, he said to me, ‘I’m still missing something.’ Yesterday, I looked in his eyes and he said, ‘I’m ready.’ So, ok, then we had the opportunity to throw him in.
“It’s that first step to give him the boost, he looked free, he generated two big chances straight away. It’s great to have him back.”
“He was so happy [at the end], he put a lot into the last few months and all the staff spent so many hours together to try to fulfil all his needs.
“He wanted more and more and more and was really willing to get back. To see him there with a smile on his face was a joy and I was really happy for him and the team was really happy for him.
The next challenge facing Jesus is forcing his way back into the starting lineup.
“He needs to earn his place like any other player,” added Arteta.
“We have alternatives, Leo can play in different positions and we have different roles to fill in relation to the chemistry of the players and what we ask them to do. It’s a great problem to have, believe me.”
“We try to adapt to the qualities of the players that we have, play to their strengths and the positions they want as much as possible.”
“Leo has very different qualities to Gabby [Jesus] and Martin as well, compliments him [Leo] really well in terms of space and understanding so it’s great to have that versatility.”
Assuming his knee reacts fine to today’s cameo, Jesus will be expecting to take a place on the bench for the upcoming matches with Sporting Lisbon and Crystal Palace. He’ll then have a couple of weeks to further build up his fitness before Leeds visit the Emirates after the Interlull.
An odd sensation watching an Arsenal game without the added boost of cortisol, I think I’ve become slightly addicted to the feeling 😂👍Regardless amazing performance and great to win again. Too many good performances to pick one! Special mention to Leo Trossard though 👍👍👍
Some scintillating footy again (with some bang awful defending from Fulham it must be said). Tross has been a great addition!
Love this team!
Just unreal to have Jesus back, and options all over the place. It’s hard to imagine a better place to go into the last 11 games from. It’s all a bit exciting.
Totally agree. To have him back but not feel like we have to throw him to have a chance of winning is perfect for both him and us.
Halcyon days.
Trossard is just so versatile. Heck of a player! He’s so involved in everything and playing like he’s been here all season.
Like two new signings.
Well, one, really. Unless actual new signings also count towards “LANS”. I need to come to terms with the fact that one of my biggest team worries right now is what we’ll do when Balogun comes home. It’s unreal that my big worry isn’t a worry – it’s a luxury. I remember all too well being constantly worried about which club would come in to pinch the one true great player that was keeping us afloat. Now I’m having trouble deciding which great players we’ll probably have to let go – not because he doesn’t want to play, or because… Read more »
I think Balogun will become part of the squad next season. We will need 6 forwards next season for 4 competitions. Jesus, Saka, Martinelli, Trossard, Eddie and Balogun. I think Nelson will ultimately be the odd man out IMO. ESR is being trained to become a left sided 8 so it seems to all work. Arteta has some tough decisions, it could be that Eddie goes and Nelson stays but right now Eddie has the edge over Nelson, though Nelson is performing well. Good problems to have.
By the way, Balogun was MOTM on Sunday.
Off topic, but I’m nervous for our trip to Anfield and Etihad. Fingers crossed for 4 points from those two games🤞
6
Well, to be fair, he has a habit of looking at the other sides and thinking the grass is greener and the girls are prettier.
But not me, of course. I don’t have that kind of appetite for self-destruction.
Great references there Mayor
Maybe if that sweet child used his illusion a bit better he’d know he should get ready to tell Pep “don’t cry” after we beat them, because after Man City we’ll probably be in Paradise City
Get your coates. All of you! Haha
Their Coates will be staying in Lisbon.
I reckon in a few weeks time we’ll look back on this and say, it’s so easy.
If we play for 90 minutes like we did in the first half at Fulham, we’re taking 6 points from those games
Very satisfying to think that the combined transfer fees we paid for Jesus and Trossard amount to less than what Chelsea paid for Mudryk.
I saw something last week. Saka, Gabi, Jesus, Trossard, Eddie and Nelson, so basically our whole front line and subs, cost less than Antony
Can add ESR as well.
100m for a player who doesn’t score goals or make assists or track back. Good business 👏
I am sure Mudryk will fit in nicely with Arsenal style of play. Chelsea under Potter lacks the imagination that managers like Arteta, Pep or Klopp has.
Mate, even I’ve had enough of talking about Mudryk.
It didn’t happen, it’s done, forget it.
Alongside Odegaard, Saka, Jesus and Martinelli, he would have fared much better than he is at Chelsea – that’s a given.
But, as far as this title run in is concerned – not to mention our aspirations next season – you’d be a fool to turn your nose up at Leo Trossard. Mr Oven Ready himself.
Football fates and ironies never cease to amaze, which is a big part of why it is such a fucking incredible sport.
I was talking about Antony 🙂
I expect Mudryk will be good in the end, we wanted him
Did we want him?
I saw a lot of him wanting us, but that’s not the same thing. We then made a couple of offers (rude not to when a player’s trying to sign before the negotiations have started) and then the Toad Boilers waded in with a truckload of cash.
Did I miss something?
That bench today must be the strongest it’s been this season.
The strongest it’s been in decades, never mind this season.
“I looked into HIS eyes”……….
I bet you did Mikel ❤️❤️❤️
No, he wasn’t Arteta’s first choice January signing. And, in all probability, Mudryk will become a valuable Premier League performer, likely a star, for many years. But Trossard is quite clearly helping us more this year than Mudryk would have. You build a team with Saka and Odegaard and Ramsdale and the rest. And when that works pretty well, you add Trossard and Jorginho and maybe you win the league.
I like Him alot. Makes others better and combines well with the squad already. Seems like he has been here for years. Jesus looked sharp when he came on and the bench was very strong today
“I like Him alot.”
Amen.
What a squad we have.
I don’t think we have one weak link.
Managed to get a seat in the Fulham end through a friend and managed to keep my identity hidden but when Jesus was in on goal I very nearly went mental.
I hope Jesus doesn’t get straight back into the team
Great news all around. Trossard has been a revelation, he always looked good at Brighton, but surrounded by Odegaard and Co, he really is thriving. Wonderful to see Jesus finally back. Hopefully some more minutes from the bench again on Thursday and against Palace on Sunday will set him up nicely for the run in after the interlull. Hopefully we should also have Eddie back by then and if the injury Gods take kindly to us from now on in, we have an incredible opportunity between now and the end of May to write a legendary chapter in our illustrious… Read more »
Trossard and GJ9’s mobility and dropping off helps to support martinelli like how odegaard supports saka. That’s why trossard/GH9 are more suited to the CF role compared to eddie. Would be beautiful if we could get another more atracking CM in place of xhaka to support martinelli and create another seg of dynamism, since zinc comes in to cover the CM role.