Given the way Leandro Trossard finished last season, the Belgian could have rightly had the hump at being on the bench for Arsenal’s opening two games this term.
Trossard finished last season in flying form, scoring six goals in the final 10 games to become a key part of Arsenal’s title charge.
The 29-year-old was keeping Gabriel Martinelli out of the team, but the Brazilian has been restored to it for the opening two games of this campaign.
Martinelli’s struggles, however, have continued and it was Trossard who once again made the difference for Arsenal on Saturday.
Just 110 seconds after coming off the bench, Trossard put Arsenal ahead with his very first touch of the game as they went on to beat Aston Villa 2-0.
It was a brilliant finish from Trossard, who is arguably the Gunners’ best finisher, and the decisive moment in a game that was all about which team took their chances.
Ollie Watkins wasted two golden ones, but Trossard made no mistake to ensure Arsenal maintained their perfect start to the season.
Trossard has proved an excellent signing since joining Arsenal in January 2023 from Brighton for £27million, especially with his impact off the bench.
Six of the Belgian’s 14 Premier League goals for Arsenal have been as a substitute, the highest share of any player to score more than 10 goals for the club in the competition.
Trossard, though, looks more than ready to shake off his ‘super sub’ tag and should be keeping Martinelli out of the team right now.
Martinelli has struggled for the best part of a year and he has been left out of the Brazil squad for the upcoming international break.
He scored just six league goals last season, when the previous year he had been Arsenal’s top scorer in the competition.
Trossard admitted after Saturday’s win that the competition has made him a better player and he has learned how to react to being benched.
“It’s something you need to develop as well,” he explained. “I know the competition in the team pushes everyone to go onto the next level and I am very pleased to have an impact and help the team and it is a great win.”Martinelli now needs to do the same. At 23, he has plenty of room to grow but, like Trossard, he must learn to fight for his place.
