Mikel Arteta was all praise for Arsenal’s January transfer signing Leondro Trossard following the Belgium’s display in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Leicester City on Saturday.
With Eddie Nketiah starting the game from the bench, the 28-year-old was deployed as a false nine for the first time since his arrival at Arsenal.
Trossard set up Gabriel Martinelli for the lone goal of the game with a through ball after nutmegging Harry Souttar, but before that, he had scored a beauty that was ruled out by VAR after Ben White had been found to have fouled Leicester goalie Danny Ward.
The former Brighton forward made way for Nketiah in the 69th minute, but his performance left his coach singing all praise. Speaking after the game, Arteta said:
“He was really good. He got involved in many situations that could have ended in many big chances. He was involved in the incredible goal he scored that was disallowed. He was involved in the goal of Gabi with the pass he plays to him.
“He is so good in the small spaces. He’s got that creativity to open people up and I’m really happy with him.”
Not only was Arteta impressed by Trossard, the Spanish tactician was also thrilled with how Jorginho- another January transfer played.
“They are two players that have experience in the league and are really well fitted for our way of playing. Both of them are really intelligent to understand what we demand and they have the personality to come here and play the way they play. This is what is required at this level.”
Saturday victory stretched Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table to five points, but it was momentarily as Man City ran riot scoring four against Bournemouth to bring back the point gap to two.
Arsenal’s next engagement is a game against Everton on 1st March at the Emirates Stadium.
