Leandro Trossard scored for Arsenal against Fulham on Saturday evening, but offered very little else.
The Belgian gave the Gunners the lead in the 58th minute, tapping home at the back post from a Bukayo Saka corner, which Gabriel Magalhaes headed on.
Mikel Arteta’s team were able to hold on to their slender lead to secure all three points, moving back to the top of the Premier League after Manchester City had dislodged them earlier in the day.
Despite his goal, Trossard delivered a performance that would not have filled Arteta with confidence about picking him in future matches.
Leandro Trossard was awful against Fulham
Trossard scored for Belgium over the international break, with this likely earning him his place in Arteta’s starting eleven for the trip to Craven Cottage.
Deployed on the left of Arsenal’s front three, alongside Viktor Gyokeres and Saka, the attack looked promising on paper for the Gunners.
However, things didn’t unfold in a promising manner.
While he found himself in some dangerous positions inside the box, Trossard was wasteful throughout. Skewing the ball wide from a good shooting position in the second half and continuously clipping crosses out of play or into Bernd Leno’s hands, it was a night to forget for the 30-year-old.
He fulfilled his defensive duties diligently, but failed to make any sort of impact offensively.
When receiving the ball wide on the touchline, Trossard is no longer capable of creating separation to carry out the next action, and this is making him completely ineffective in certain games, particularly when he’s not able to come inside.
Arteta must reassess how consistently he’s picking the former Brighton man.
Gabriel Martinelli should start against Atletico Madrid
Martinelli also scored for his country over the international break, netting for Brazil against Japan.
The 24-year-old was therefore unlucky not to start in West London on Saturday night. That said, he should certainly be in the initial eleven against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday at the Emirates in the Champions League.
Trossard hasn’t done enough to merit another starting berth, while Martinelli will be fresh after only being introduced in the 79th minute against Fulham.
Atletico Madrid are also not blessed with the most athletic full-backs, meaning the Brazilian’s pace and direct running should be capable of causing Diego Simeone’s side issues.
It’s simply a no-brainer for Arteta.
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