Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has issued an update on the injury to Leandro Trossard after he was forced off in the Gunners’ pre-season friendly win over the MLS All-Stars.
Washington DC bore witness to a route on Thursday as Arsenal started their pre-season tour in style. Gabriel Jesus, Trossard, Jorginho, Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz all found the net at Audi Field. It marked the Gunners’ first win of the summer after two 1-1 draws in Europe.
But the MLS All-Stars friendly was not all good news for Arsenal as an injury forced Trossard off early in the second half. Arteta removed the forward from the action on 56 minutes with Martinelli introduced in his place. Trossard has started in all three of the Gunners’ ties so far.
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Trossard shined before his injury as Arsenal beat the MLS All-Stars
Trossard has proven to be a key cog in Arteta’s plans this summer after starting in all three of Arsenal’s friendlies so far. The Belgian had already opened the action at Watford and away to FC Nurnberg before facing the MLS All-Stars. He played 45 minutes and 55 minutes in each.
But rather than Arsenal’s £27m January transfer from Brighton & Hove Albion making way in a tactical decision, Arteta had to remove Trossard from the Audi Field turf owing to an injury. It brought an early end to an otherwise impressive performance from the tricky 28-year-old.
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The Wayne Rooney-coached MLS All-Stars struggled to find an answer for Trossard’s skill to carve out numerous chances. He also regularly regained possession for the Gunners after latching onto several loose balls. While the attacker’s strike from distance yielded a fine goal.
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Trossard doubled Arsenal’s lead over the MLS All-Stars from outside the box on 23 minutes following Jesus’ fifth-minute opener. The 26-cap Red Devils dynamo picked out the corner of the net to perfection after working the ball onto his favoured right foot under light duress.
His injury would take the focus away from Trossard’s goal as Arsenal won their friendly with the MLS All-Stars 5-0. But Arteta eased concerns after the game when issuing an update on the Belgian’s problem. The Gunners will also run further tests while in America on Thursday.
“He got a knock and, obviously, we don’t want to take any risks at this stage,” Arteta noted, via quotes from Arsenal’s official website. “He had some pain and we will see how tomorrow is but I don’t expect it to be anything big.”