Mikel Arteta has built an extremely versatile squad at Arsenal.
The Spaniard is one of the best managers in the world now. Yes, he hasn’t won a big trophy yet, but he has well and truly transformed this Arsenal side.
Arteta has signed a number of incredible players for the Gunners over the last few years. Many of them have been huge hits and some of them have proved that you don’t have to spend huge money to sign excellent footballers.
One such player is Leandro Trossard.
Mikel Arteta should permanently change Leandro Trossard’s position at Arsenal
Trossard is one of Arsenal’s biggest bargains in recent years.
The Belgian averages a goal or an assist every 114.5 minutes at Arsenal. That is a stunning return, and he has had a very good start to this season as well.
Trossard played on the left flank in the first three games of the season, but following Martin Odegaard’s injury, he has been moved into a more central position.
The 29-year-old has been so much more effective in this role. He starts games as a false-nine but comfortably interchanges positions with Kai Havertz to play as a number 10 as well.
On the left flank, Trossard is more than good enough to perform, but we just think he doesn’t have the pace to cause problems to the best full-backs.
Players like Gabriel Martinelli and Raheem Sterling are far better suited to that role, which is why we think Arteta should permanently change Trossard’s position and always deploy him in a central role.
Trossard is the best finisher at Arsenal right now, and playing centrally will give him more chances to score. That will make the Gunners more dangerous in attack.
Trossard proved our point against Italy
In the Nations League against Italy, Trossard started on the left flank for Belgium.
The former Brighton man showed off some fancy footwork out wide, but he couldn’t have the kind of impact that he would have liked in that position.
After Lorenzo Pellegrini got a red card, Trossard was moved to a more central position, and the Arsenal man was significantly more effective there.
The Belgian media even raved about Trossard’s performance – he assisted their first goal and scored the second to help salvage a point.
After the game, Trossard even admitted that he prefers to play centrally. He told Nieuwsblad: “I like to roam between the lines, so that I often get to the ball. Even if things don’t work out, I take responsibility.
“The ball bounced once, causing it to jump too far from my foot. But then you have to show resilience and keep going for it. That’s how I am wired.”
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