Belgium beat Ukraine 3-0 in Genk in the Nations League on Sunday, although Arsenal star Leandro Trossard produced another poor performance.
Trossard was dismal in the first leg against the Ukrainians and received harsh criticism for the outing from the Belgian national press.
Despite the Red Devils delivering a much-improved display this time around, Rudi Garcia’s side scored all three of their goals after the Gunners winger was hooked.
Maxim De Cupyer opened the scoring a minute after Trossard was substituted, before a brace from Romelu Lukaku completed the comeback.
Belgian media slam Arsenal star Leandro Trossard
Unusually deployed on the right by Garcia, due to the availability of Jeremy Doku on the left, Trossard looked lost playing on the side he’s rarely performed well in.
The wide man was unable to influence the game in any meaningful way, taking two hopeful long shots and creating just one chance throughout his 69 minutes on the pitch.
After the game, Belgium’s media outlets were not complimentary of Trossard’s efforts.
Walfoot described the Arsenal forward’s performance as ‘calamitous’, whilst also writing: “The City winger [Doku] is a little too predictable, but he poses far more danger than Trossard, who misses his chance for the umpteenth time – one too many, perhaps.”
This scathing review was compounded by Voetbalkrant awarding him a 5/10, the lowest of any Belgian player on the night: “Was deployed as right forward, but roamed everywhere in a free role. His efforts left much to be desired and he really wasn’t in the game. Too weak.”
Arsenal are reportedly considering offering Trossard a new contract, but based on his downward trajectory this season, Mikel Arteta should think twice about such a move.
Aside from a scintillating display against PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16, the former Brighton man has been mostly poor in the last couple of months.
Leandro Trossard’s statistics vs Ukraine
Much like the first leg on Thursday, Trossard was effectively non existent as an attacking force for the Belgians.
Accumulating 0.07 expected goals from two shots, the Arsenal man looked bereft of ideas when he got into the final third, resorting to ambitious efforts from distance, while he managed to assist just one shot.
| Trossard’s Statistics vs Ukraine | |
| Minutes Played | 69 |
| Shots | 2 |
| Expected Goals | 0.07 |
| Key Passes | 1 |
| Accurate Passes | 26/31 (84%) |
| Touches | 42 |
| Touches in Opposition Box | 1 |
| Tackles | 0 |
He was relatively secure in possession, which is an improvement on last week, but this was still a performance of little substance.
If Arteta was watching on hoping to see a re-energised Trossard ahead of the run-in, then he certainly would’ve been left very disappointed and likely concerned.
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