Trossard has hit the ground running since joining Arsenal
Leandro Trossard has hit the ground running at Arsenal, after the Belgian picked up a hat-trick of assists in their 3-0 win over Fulham… and ex-Brighton star is already drawing comparisons with former Gunner Santi Cazorla
- Leandro Trossard recorded a hat-trick of assists in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Fulham
- The Belgian has taken like a duck to water since joining the Gunners in January
- He’s already been likened to former Arsenal star Santi Cazorla for his play-style
Here are a couple of largely insignificant facts about Leandro Trossard.
One: he is a Lego enthusiast; appropriate because the Belgian is proving a vital piece in Arsenal’s title charge.
Two: the attacker’s agent – Josy Comhair – is a painter and decorator by trade. After Trossard’s brilliant offering at Craven Cottage on Sunday, they’ll both be painting the town Arsenal red.
But enough with the wise cracks – Trossard’s contribution to the Gunners’ title challenge is no laughing matter. It’s entirely serious.
Six direct goal contributions in five starts since arriving from Brighton in January is the definition of hitting the ground running.
Leandro Trossard has taken like a duck to water since joining Arsenal in January
The midfielder (right) picked up a hat-trick of assists during Sunday’s 3-0 win over Fulham
He became the first player in Premier League history to provide three assists before half-time in an away game on Sunday, setting up goals for Gabriel, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard as the Gunners cantered home to a 3-0 victory at Fulham.
His match-winning contribution saw Trossard become the first player since Santi Cazorla in the 2012-13 season to have recorded a hat-trick of goals and hat-trick of assists in a single Premier League campaign after his three goals against Liverpool when playing for Brighton in October.
Despite his excellent start to life at the Emirates, Trossard still has a way to go before he is as revered as Cazorla is by the Arsenal fans who still idolise the diminutive Spaniard.
That said, there’s unquestionable similarities between the two. Both small in stature, both possess the technical qualities required of an Arsenal attacker in it’s purest description.
Like Cazorla before him, Trossard is comfortable with receiving the ball in the tightest of spots – more often than not finding a route out of trouble to benefit his team.
But more pertinently, like Cazorla, it’s Trossard’s end product that is setting him apart. The 28-year-old arrived from Brighton under the expectation of playing a support role.
At that point, Eddie Nketiah, Bukayo Saka and Martinelli were firing, while Gabriel Jesus was still to return from injury.
Sources close to Trossard intimated at the time that his anticipated peripheral role may eventually become a problem.
Trossard has already been likened to former Arsenal and Spain playmaker Santi Cazorla
By all accounts, he isn’t the most accepting when it comes to not playing. He can become agitated, even moody if he isn’t in the team.
There were signs of those traits in the days leading up to his departure from Brighton.
His relationship with Roberto De Zerbi was beyond repair and was banished from first-team training.
There looked no way back for Trossard at the Amex. But truth be told, he didn’t want one – his heart was set on a move away from Brighton and he set about getting what he wanted.
‘The last training session before the Middlesbrough game, when he understood he wouldn’t play, he left the session without saying anything to me and it’s not good,’ said De Zerbi in January.
‘On the Monday, I spoke with him and I explained I don’t like this attitude.’
His behaviour may have been questionable, many would have gone about things differently. But he got what he wanted, there’s a lot to be said for that.
‘He loves his football, but he can be very stubborn when he wants to be,’ said the source.
Of course, the return to fitness of Jesus may have implications on the Belgium international’s position in Mikel Arteta’s immediate plans.
Six direct goal contributions in five starts since joining the league leaders two months ago
But if he continues in this trajectory, then it’ll be a long time before Arsenal need to concern themselves with how Trossard might react if he feels he’s being marginalised. Because right now, Arteta cannot do without him.
And to think, if Chelsea hadn’t gazumped Arsenal to their No1 January target Mykhailo Mudryk then Trossard wouldn’t have signed for the Gunners.
Even worse, he may even have rocked up at Tottenham. It’s funny how things work out.
Mudryk has started just one game in a month for Chelsea. Trossard, on the other hand, much like Lego – his move to Arsenal has clicked instantly.
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