Mikel Arteta faces a tough task in keeping everyone in his Arsenal squad happy this season.
There is plenty of competition for places at Arsenal these days. Whilst that is overall a good thing, it does mean that there are certain to be frustrated individuals at the Emirates Stadium who miss out on game time throughout the season.
Of course, there are nailed-on starters in Mikel Arteta’s ranks, too. If fit and available, the likes of David Raya, William Saliba, Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, and Bukayo Saka are never going to be sidelined for any important matches.
There are other positions that are very much up for grabs, though. The left-back berth, for instance, will be contested between Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori, and Takehiro Tomiyasu, when he returns to full fitness, this season.
Zinchenko has welcomed this competition and started in the Gunners’ Premier League opener, before Timber was drafted in at Villa Park yesterday.
There are, it would seem, certain positions that Arteta is more willing to rotate than others. For example, on form, Leandro Trossard deserves to be ahead of Gabriel Martinelli in the pecking order, but was not given the nod from the off against Aston Villa.
Mikel Arteta must recognise Leandro Trossard message
Martinelli struggled against Aston Villa, and has been short of his best for some time. Meanwhile, despite often being limited to outings from the bench, Trossard has been enjoying a purple patch of late, stretching back to last season.
The Belgian made a telling impact at Villa Park. He was introduced to the action in the 65th minute, and scored with his first touch of the ball moments later to put the visitors ahead.
Whilst Saliba encouraged Trossard to celebrate in style, the forward’s reaction to his own strike was somewhat moody and mooted.
Arsenal fan and journalist James McNicholas, speaking on his On The Whistle YouTube video, said: “Trossard’s had to wait for his chance… Trossard comes on, and his first touch just strokes the ball into the bottom corner… I thought his celebration afterwards was a man making a point, maybe.
“A man who feels like he should’ve started in these last two games… It feels like he’s taken the decision to not start these two games very personally indeed, and he’s made his point.”
Arteta must handle Trossard situation at Arsenal with care
Trossard has a fantastic record from the bench, but he won’t be satisfied with a super sub role, and it has caused friction in the past.
There has been a rift between Trossard and Arteta before due to the 29-year-old not being satisfied with the amount of game time he was being given.
The Spanish coach must avoid that same issue resurfacing, and it certainly appears that the attacker’s patience is already being tested.
Both to assuage Trossard’s growing frustration, and to reward his fine form, as well as to send a clear message to Martinelli that he must step up his game, the former Brighton man must be handed a start against the Seagulls this weekend.
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