Mikel Arteta hails Arsenal star despite past clashes and recent fan backlash

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Arsenal maintained their impressive recent form as they put West Ham United to the sword on Saturday evening. 

Mikel Arteta’s side romped to a 5-2 win in East London, with all the goals in the game being scored in a frantic first half. 

Gabriel Magalhaes nodded the Gunners ahead, whilst Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz both also found the back of the net and Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard converted a spot kick each. 

It was a clinical Arsenal display which helped to further revive their Premier League title hopes. Arteta will watch on as Liverpool host Manchester City later today, and will be hoping that the result from that fixture can further benefit his side.

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Mikel Arteta hails Leandro Trossard

Trossard was brought back into the Arsenal starting XI for this fixture against West Ham, allowing Gabriel Martinelli to enjoy a rest as an unused substitute. 

The Belgian forward not only scored himself, but also set up Havertz’s strike with a fantastic long ball over the top of the Hammers’ defence. 

Speaking after the match, as quoted by Football.London, Arteta was asked if he was pleased with the impact that Trossard was able to make in Martinelli’s place. 

The Spanish coach said: “Yeah and scoring. The fact that they know that everyone is on their toes, everybody has to elevate the level and earn the right to play and when you have the chances the moment to talk. That’s what they are doing.”

Trossard’s ups and downs at Arsenal

The 29-year-old has not always been able to deliver when called upon to start for the Gunners, especially recently. Prior to the international break, Arsenal fans criticised Trossard for his poor form. 

However, the former Brighton man deserves credit for bouncing back and showing signs of getting back to his best. He will need to maintain the kind of level he produced against West Ham is he is to get more of the starts that he craves.

Trossard and Arteta have fallen out in the past due the player’s frustrations with his place in the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium.

The manager clearly still has faith in the attacker though, and Trossard will be desperate to continue proving his worth over the course of the rest of the campaign.