Arsenal’s season has been hit with plenty of difficulties, but there has been one ever-present star within the team throughout it all.
During a season where Arsenal have struggled with injuries, it has been a tough task for Mikel Arteta to put out a consistent starting lineup.
Whether it was Martin Odegaard’s ankle injury, the hamstring problems for Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka or the whole treatment room full of players, not a game has gone by where the Gunners haven’t had a concern or two to deal with.
However, even with the challenges facing the Arsenal boss, there has been one outfield player available at every point of the campaign.
Underrated Leandro Trossard has been a mainstay for Arsenal this season
Of all of the outfield players at Arsenal, perhaps the star who goes under the radar the most is Leandro Trossard.
While he doesn’t always have the output of those around him, such as Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka, he has made up for that with his consistency.
Trossard is the only outfield player to have made an appearance in every Premier League game this season, looking to cap that off with a 38th appearance of the campaign when coming up against Southampton.
An old phrase goes that “availability is the best ability”, and availability has certainly been something lacking this season.
With Trossard reliably available, he is clearly undroppable from the team as a whole, whether that’s starting or coming on from the bench.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| 37 | 8 | 7 |
It was something the Belgian international commented on himself when speaking to the official Arsenal website.
“That’s always the first aim, obviously to be always available – not just for the team, but also for yourself,” he said on the prospect of featuring in every game this season.
“It’s always nice that you can be there with your teammates rather than be sidelined with an injury, because that’s the nastiest thing you can have as a player, to go through that period. So I’m happy with that – really happy with how that has been.
“That’s what the manager wants as well, because obviously this year it’s been a bit up and down with injuries – in fact a lot downs.
“At the start of the season, the manager says that he wants us all to be available as much as possible, to everyone, and I managed to do that again.”
At a time when the depth of the Arsenal squad has been questioned, Trossard’s fitness has played a key role in the Gunners securing a second-place finish rather than much lower in the Premier League table.
Leandro Trossard faces an uncertain future at Arsenal this summer
While Leandro Trossard has been an ever-present force for Arsenal this season, his future at the club is anything but clear.
Trossard has one year remaining on his contract heading into the summer, putting him at risk for a possible exit.
That’s partially due to Arsenal showing interest in Rodrygo, along with plenty of other left-sided wingers.
While Arsenal have held exploratory contract talks with Trossard, it’s unclear whether he will stay or not.
With some potential transfer interest around the corner, sporting director Andrea Berta could well sanction a transfer exit if a suitable offer comes in.
During a season where the versatile star has been present throughout, losing him could be a huge blow to Arteta, but a big change in the squad as a whole.
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