While Leandro Trossard has had his struggles this season, the Belgian flyer’s impressive performances against Sporting CP and West Ham United were a huge boost for both him and Arsenal.
Looking back to a level resembling his best, there’s been plenty to admire about how Trossard has bounced back from a poor run of form.
Having not found the back of the net since September prior to netting vs. Sporting, his return to scoring ways is good news for the title-chasing Gunners, who are now back in the swing of the things after a challenging period – even though their draw with Fulham wasn’t ideal.
Providing a timely reminder of why he’s such a key weapon for Mikel Arteta‘s men, the experienced 30-year-old’s uptick has come at a handy moment, with there being much talk about a new deal in the works for him.
A nightmare for defenders to contain when confident and firing on all cylinders, he can be nigh on unplayable when at the peak of his powers, with his excellent numbers from the previous campaign underlining what an asset he is when at his best.
Clinical, instinctive and capable of finding the back of the net in multiple ways, his expert finishing is so crucial towards his success. Two-footed, ingenuitive, rapid to shoot if he spots an opening and so good at shooting while unbalanced, if he gains separation he can be deadly.
Parlaying finesse, placement and power, Trossard’s a massive threat from a host of locations and angles.
Typically in the right place at the right time, just like he was so often for Graham Potter and Roberto De Zerbi at Brighton & Hove Albion, his intelligent movement accompanies the aforementioned brilliantly and accentuates what a difference-maker he is. Targeting vacant zones clinically and aware of when defenders are preoccupied or out of position, exploiting space in the box is one of his specialities.
He also impacts proceedings deeper too, where he’s fully in tune with Arteta’s tactical demands, as he smoothly rotates with his teammates, knows when to smartly drop deep to connect play and performs opposite movements to place doubt in the minds of defenders to generates space.
His lethal runs in behind add to his nuisance, for the speedy Belgian, who directs and times his runs with precision, shrewdly pounces once a colleague is in a position to feed him.
Giving the Gunners plenty of verticality, directness and thrust with his ball carrying, the man with tremendous strength and a low centre of gravity to withstand pressure relishes every chance to power upfield.
A crafty passer who can unlock backlines effectively using pinpoint crosses and cutbacks, precise through balls, tidy combination play and through diagonal line breakers, this is another element of his armoury that elevates his influence.
Always one to put in a determined shift on the defensive end as well, this enhances his worth, for he energetically hunts down opponents, is aggressive in the tackle and brings a heap of intensity in his quest to recover possession for his team.
Versatile, able to stamp his mark as a starter or off the bench and able to turn a game on its head with a moment of magic, it’s little wonder Arteta rates him so highly. “Trossard, great player. He’s a little magician. He can score on any surface and he’s a big threat; so composed, so cool, he can play in different positions. It’s just a joy to have him in the team,” Arteta insisted.
“Every time you ask him to play, whether it’s wide or as a No. 9, it flows and he’s a real threat. He is so intelligent. He generates spaces and options for people. We knew about his quality and what he could bring to the team. We are really pleased with him; he can play on the right, he can play on the left, he can play as an attacking midfielder, as a No. 9 or a false nine. He’s really contributing to the team and he really takes a lot of responsibility in games to make things happen and we love that.”
Arteta then added this on his mindset, and how he despises being left out of the starting line-up: “He’s upset when he doesn’t play, he’s upset when he enters the pitch, but he still gives you what you need. He’s a great example to others.”
While he’s battled for consistency at times since joining nearly two years ago from Brighton for £27 million, there’s no denying he’s been a fantastic addition to the Gunners all things considered.
Unquestionably one of the finest signings of the Arteta era and always on hand to give the Gunners a vital spark in the final third, the hard-working and uniquely skilled Trossard will be keen to keep laying the hurt on opponents to continue proving why he’s one of the most dangerous attackers in the division.
Although he hasn’t been operating at full tilt this crusade, never underestimate the diminutive dynamo, for he can turn it on at any point to help propel this ambitious Gunners side to victory both domestically and in Europe.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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