Leandro Trossard insists he is relishing the challenge of playing as the false nine after netting in Arsenal’s win over Sevilla, as he offers Mikel Arteta a solution to Gunners’ injury crisis
- Leandro Trossard’s relishing the new challenge he’s been given up to for Arsenal
- Trossard’s versatility has been key with is helping Arsenal’s current injury crisis
- CHRIS SUTTON: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is a CLOWN – It’s All Kicking Off!
With a slew of injuries for Mikel Arteta to contend with, it is times such as these when players must adapt.
Particularly to succeed over a campaign’s length across the various competitions.
Leandro Trossard is one of those who’s more than willing to do so. Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah were all out injured in the past week, so Arsenal’s Trossard stepped into the false nine slot against Sevilla on Wednesday night.
He scored in the 2-0 victory, a neat finish off a Bukayo Saka assist. There was a difficulty in getting on the ball because of a lack of service down the middle, but the Belgian relishes the challenge.
He said: ‘He (Arteta) knows I like to swap positions as well during the game. We have those type of players as well and it creates a bit of chaos for the opposition team. I am really happy with tonight.
Leandro Trossard is relishing the new challenge he’s been given in Arsenal’s attack
Mikel Arteta (pictured) handed Trossard a false nine role in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Sevilla
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‘I always need to be switched on, to be honest! I always need to know my role. But I like it, I will never back down from anything. If you put me as a striker, or a winger or a No 10, I will always play my game.’
It is that attitude that bodes well for Arteta. It is shared by much of the squad.
However, a missing part is captain Odegaard. Without him, that final pass forward and ability to dribble up the pitch is missing in the midfield area.
That was masked over by the brilliance of Bukayo Saka and Martinelli on the wings, who made the inroads to bypass the lack of penetration through the middle.
Trossard knows so. He added: ‘Obviously he is the skipper so he has a lot of presence when he plays. We all know Martin’s quality on the ball, he can always find that last pass or score a goal from out of nothing.
Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah (pictured) are all currently out injured
‘He is an important player, but I think we have a big squad this year and have shown that everyone is ready.’
Kai Havertz played in that right-sided role in midfield last night and took time to grow into the game.
Odegaard is a big miss, though Arteta at least has the squad depth to experiment with going forward.
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