A lack of squad depth ultimately proved costly for Arsenal last season, but this week will give them hope this year can be different.
Arsenal have been struggling with injuries and fitness issues for months, and they went into this game with Burnley fearing as many as eight first-team players could be out.
In the end, it turned out to be five and the Gunners got the win they needed to climb up to second in the Premier League, level on points with leaders Manchester City.
Leandro Trossard was fittingly the hero, because he has had to be patient for opportunities this season.
The Belgian has often taken on the role of ‘super sub’, but here he was handed the chance to start and took it with both hands.
Trossard scored one and made another as Arsenal ran out 3-1 winners to wrap up a fine week where they also beat Sevilla to go top of their Champions League group.
Trossard has started just seven games this season, but after this goal here he is now the Gunners’ joint top scorer along with Bukayo Saka, having found the net six times.
Saka assisted Trossard for his finish against Burnley and he has done so for all of the forward’s goals this season.
This, however, was an assist unlike many from Saka, with the winger winning a towering header at the back-post. Trossard showed bravery to get on the end of it, connecting with a header but getting clattered by the post and Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford in the process.
Clutching his arm in agony on the floor, it looked like the Belgian would have to come off. Thankfully for Arsenal he stayed on as it was Trossard’s corner that restored the Gunners’ lead when Josh Brownhill had made it 1-1.
With each game, the £26million that Arsenal paid for Trossard looks a steal and especially so this week. Given there was no Eddie Nketiah or Gabriel Jesus on Wednesday, the Belgian had to lead the line against Sevilla on Wednesday.
He scored the opening goal that night and performed so well that he kept his place against Burnley, despite Nketiah being fit again after an ankle knock. And it is easy to see why Mikel Arteta has turned to Trossard. He will get the headlines for his goal and assist, but there is more to his game than that.
The Belgian’s movement brings the best out of Gabriel Martinelli and Saka out wide, while his willingness to press from the front should not be overlooked.
It is the kind of depth Arsenal need all over the pitch and their squad will be tested even further now, with Fabio Vieira’s late red card meaning he will miss the next three games.
