Leandro Trossard was arguably our most important player against Athletic Club despite coming on in the 64th minute for Arsenal. Trossard came on for Viktor Gyökeres and played a false-nine role for the Gunners. The Belgian assisted the opener with a lovely ball over the top for Martinelli, before adding the second with a neat finish in the latter stages – Arsenal won the match 2-0 against Athletic Club, in their Champions League opener.
During his time at Arsenal so far, the former Brighton man has established himself as a very effective player from off the bench. In fact, his very first goal for Arsenal came in that fashion, in a 1-1 draw with Brentford in January 2023.
Trossard the King of Impact
As revealed by OptaJoe on X, since his debut in January 2023, no Premier League player has been involved in more goals from off the bench than Leandro Trossard in all competitions. The Belgian has 14 goal contributions over the course of that period, 10 goals and four assists, making him the most effective player in the league from off the bench. Considering the fierce competition on the left flank, the Belgian will be a vital asset at Mikel Arteta’s disposal ahead of a very tough campaign.
The Spaniard acknowledged the importance of the bench moving forward, saying in his post-match Presser: “That they are at least equally important, or more important. We have discussed that the finishers are going to be more important this season, sometimes more than the starters. We can change the game there, especially with the intensity that we play, especially when the team starts to drop off, and I’m very pleased to see that.”
Arsenal’s Strength in Depth
Trossard’s impressive midweek appearance has put him in strong contention to feature more prominently against Manchester City. Gabriel Martinelli will also be in the manager’s mind following an equally impressive showing. This selection headache perfectly illustrates Arsenal’s new found strength in depth, something Mikel Arteta will be counting on ahead of a long and demanding campaign.
Your thoughts appreciated in the comments.
Benjamin Kenneth
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A number of armchair managers question the Belgian recent pay rise, maybe this headline may help to explain the club decision.
Gunsmoke,
You can try and justify the club giving him a pay rise if you want. But it doesn’t make it a good decision.
There was no need to give him the pay rise, and to give it to him without an extension is just another example of this clubs poor decision making regards players wages.
All that said, Trossard is a useful squad player.
What if they promised him improved terms previously (based on how well he performed) and they were aware that if they reneged now, he would force through a transfer, this being before Eze was coming? This is just one possibility I read.
Who knows what the full story was? If something clearly doesn’t make sense initially, it doesn’t necessarily mean there’s been a screw up by the club, it could simply mean we don’t have all the facts, assuming we want more facts and wouldn’t rather push a different narrative.
Bruised Banana,
While I hear what your saying, if as one of your scenario’s suggest regarding performance related, to me that’s still not sensible in my eyes.
The contract he signed no doubt was a very good one, and if said player needs motivating with performance promises. Then to me that player need not be at the club.
In that scenario it’s not so much performance related as much as it would be not reneging on a promise to a player who’s efforts are going to be very much needed (as he’s already proven again).
The overriding point to me is that there had to be a reason for doing the increase other than just being a club making what appears to be an inexplicable decision. Only if we knew with certainty the reason(s) for doing what was done, could we then be critical even to the point of calling it a terrible mistake.
Bruised Banana,
We’ll have to agree to disagree on this one I’m afraid.
If as you say the club made a promise to him, then they shouldn’t have. Said player is only to willing to sign the contract when offered. And for me it shouldn’t be a case of a rise until a new contract is offered when said players contract is running down.
The only way I agree with a pay rise during said contract is in the case of an academy player on being given the chance, and taking it to become a regular, then I can see the sense in giving them more of a rise. Other than that, not for me I’m afraid.
That’s fine. To me that’s one of the things that is most appealing about JA is the ability to access ideas from other gooners which potentially challenge and broaden our own opinions and perceptions. I like to discuss with an open mind on both ends, not argue ad nauseam with closed minded egos just to somehow prove we are “right” or “wrong”.
Last thing though on Trossard, please note that I don’t believe the club necessarily shouldn’t have made a promise nor that he shouldn’t have signed a lesser contract while having faith in the club if in fact that’s what occurred.
Bruised Banana,
now regarding your comment, to access ideas from other gooners which potentially challenge and broaden out own opinions and perceptions. On that we can both agree.
Enjoy the rest of your evening.👍
Thanks Derek. You as well. 👍