Leandro Trossard was the hero for Arsenal against Aston Villa on Saturday evening.
Leandro Trossard further enhanced his reputation as a super sub as he came on off the bench to set Arsenal on their way to victory at Villa Park.
Mikel Arteta’s side were battling their way through the game, but showing little sign of making a breakthrough, before the Spanish coach introduced the Belgian winger to the fray in the 65th minute. Moments later, he put the North London club ahead with his first touch of the ball.
Trossard has an excellent record as a substitute. However, given Gabriel Martinelli’s struggles to rediscover his best form, the time has surely come for the 29-year-old to be given a run in the starting line up.
In any case, whilst Unai Emery got his substitutions wrong for Aston Villa, with his changes helping Arsenal to take charge of the match, Arteta ought to be praised for his use of his bench.
What Mikel Arteta said to Leandro Trossard before Aston Villa heroics
In the aftermath of the match, Trossard revealed exactly what Arteta instructed him to do before deploying him on to the pitch.
Speaking to Sky Sports (24/08/2024, 19:50), the former Brighton man said that the manager told him: “To get at them, try to be composed on the ball, get in behind them, and make it difficult for them. And I managed to do it.”
Trossard certainly brought a new dimension to the Gunners’ attack, and demonstrated his impressive finishing ability.
Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli fight for Arsenal role
Trossard will certainly feel that he is owed his first start of the season against Brighton next time out. However, Arteta has shown a desire to want to give Martinelli an opportunity to play his way back into form.
Ultimately, though, the needs of the team as a whole must come before anything else, and as things stand this Arsenal team functions better with Trossard in it than it does with the Brazilian.
What’s more, a rift between Arteta and Trossard has existed in the past due to the attacker’s lack of starting opportunities, and the manager will want to protect the player’s mood by rewarding his performances.
Therefore, it ought to become Martinelli’s turn to prove his worth from the bench and claw his way back into the starting XI.
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