Leandro Trossard needs to impress in Arsenal clash with Man Utd, he has a lot to prove in pre-season

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Arsenal are set to face Manchester United in a pre-season clash at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, and Leandro Trossard is in line to start.

The Belgian appeared off the bench in Arsenal’s opening match with Bournemouth, but was clearly way off the pace as he sent a shot at goalkeeper Neto, before then missing his penalty in the shootout which followed.

Trossard scored 17 goals in all competitions last season, and proved to be a clutch figure in key moments for Arsenal. Despite this, the 29-year-old still has a lot to prove to Mikel Arteta.

The attacker suffered a particularly disappointing Euro 2024 campaign, delivering poor performances before getting dropped from the starting XI as Belgium crashed out in the round of 16.

Arsenal are keen on signing a winger, with Nico Williams and Federico Chiesa linked, and Trossard has a lot to do to stop himself falling down the pecking order.

Leandro Trossard needs to impress in Arsenal friendly vs Manchester United

There is no question that Trossard is a strong goalscorer, and one of the best finishers in the Arsenal squad. However, when deployed on the wing or in midfield, his performances sometimes leave a lot to be desired.

Trossard scored the winner at Old Trafford in May as Arsenal beat Manchester United, and with the two sides set to face each other in LA, he could do himself a big favour with a strong performance if selected to start.

It will be a fierce battle for a place in the side once the season starts in a whole range of positions, even if a winger has not arrived by then. Mikel Merino could join in midfield, and both Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus will aim to improve on their campaigns last season.

Trossard’s poor display against Bournemouth can be sympathised with given that he joined the squad later than the players not at Euro 2024, but if he performs poorly against United, he will have Fabio Vieira and Martinelli threatening to take his starting spot before the season begins.

Leandro Trossard’s Arsenal future will be under the microscope this season

Trossard has just two years remaining on his contract, and is not getting any younger. If Arsenal do sign a winger and a midfielder, and Martinelli returns to his best form, it could leave Trossard fighting for his future.

By next season, Trossard will be 30 with one year left on his deal, and perhaps his best days behind him, whilst there will be fierce competition for his signature.

If he cannot work his way into the team at the start of this season, to then keep his place and continuing to deliver in key moments, then it seems unlikely that he will be able to win it back from a spell of poor form, and it is clear that a poor pre-season campaign may determine how he fares this season.