Lelimination by Sporting CP in the round of 16 of the Europa League shouldn’t tarnish Arsenal’s great season. The ‘gunners’, leaders with five points ahead of Manchester City, Now they will focus all their efforts on regaining the Premier League.19 years! After.
It is not the first blow received by Mikel Arteta’s studentswho are demonstrating great resilience. Gabriel Jesus injury -it’s been out for 99 days- He left Arsenal without his big stiletto.Eddie Nketiah provided him with a ticket at first -He scored four goals in his first five games-, but ended up losing the position due to being pushed by Leandro Trossard (Maasmechelen, 4-12-1994).
It’s curious. the Belgian, arrived at the winter market from Brighton, he wasn’t even Arsenal’s first choice. The number 1 target was Mykhaylo Mudryk, who ended up at Chelsea. artetta, With the incorporation of Trossard, he sought to increase competition at the ends, especially on the left with Martinelli.
However, the Genk youth teams have fitted Arteta’s style like a ‘glove’: he’s the ‘false 9’ Arsenal needed. His performance in the derby against Fulham (0-3) confirmed that. Trossard became the first player in Premier League history to give away three home assists before the end of the first half.
His mobility and ability to attack spaces made the “farmer’s” defense unhinged: he kicked out the corner kick which led to the goal Gabriel Magalhaes and served two measured crosses from the left for goals by Martinelli and Odegaard.
The cascade of praise for the ex from Brighton was not long in coming: “Trossard has brought incredible things to the team. I love playing with him. He is very good at finding the right pass. We are very happy to have him in the team,” he assures Martin Odegard, captain of the “gunship”.
Arteta is also delighted. “Many players have ‘blurred vision’ when it comes to finding the right pass in the box. For him, however, it’s quite the opposite. He gave three assists against Fulham and could have scored two goals. It was very impressive. He is a footballer who makes the difference.”
A ‘false 9′ that fell from ’10’ at Arsenal. “We can talk about many signings, but Trossard’s is a ‘masterstroke’. Martinelli and Saka have worked ‘miracles’ all year, but their arrival gives you depth and breadth in attack. What other player could come in and change games like this?” asked former Manchester United player Rio Ferdinand on his ‘Youtube’ channel.
Trossard, for his part, explains the ‘secret’ of his three assists. “They made it very easy for me. Since I arrived they made me feel at home. Arteta also helped me a lot. I’m a tactical player and all my teammates are very good with the ball, which makes it easier to adapt.”
It’s not Gabriel Jesus… but Trossard did not miss (almost) anyone.
