Arsenal have had to deal with constant injuries this season, and whenever one player returns, it seems that another one departs.
Although they were able to welcome back winger Gabriel Martinelli at halftime during the victory over Manchester City, it was at the expense of Leandro Trossard, who was withdrawn with a suspected hamstring injury.
Martinelli went on to score the winning goal, so perhaps the substitution proved to be a blessing in disguise, but losing Trossard at the same time will be frustrating for Mikel Arteta.
Trossard’s injury
It has now been confirmed that Trossard did pick up a hamstring injury, and he has now pulled out of Belgium’s fixtures during this international break.
Belgium have crucial Euro qualifiers against Austria and Sweden coming up, but the 28-year-old will now not play any part, with the extent of his injury yet to be determined.
With Bukayo Saka and William Saliba also pulling out of International duty with injury, Arsenal will be able to keep some of their key players at London Colney during the break, but will now be sweating on their fitness ahead of a trip to Chelsea later this month.
Trossard’s frustrating season
After performing superbly in pre-season, and scoring a last-minute equaliser in the Community Shield, Trossard is currently having a frustrating campaign.
He has found himself in and out of the starting lineup and has now been substituted at half-time twice.
In between injuries, he did score a stunning winner against Everton and an excellent finish against PSV Eindhoven, but his performances have been inconsistent, and he has been unable to build up a run of consistent games.
He was described as “really impressive” by Mikel Arteta last season, and quickly settled following his arrival from Brighton in January, but he will now hope that his injury is not a serious one as he aims to force his way into the starting XI more.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
