Leandro Trossard has suggested he wants to start Arsenal’s next game against Brighton, his former club, after his muted reaction on scoring the breakthrough goal at Aston Villa prompted his manager Mikel Arteta to admit the ‘super sub’ is not happy at playing second fiddle.
The Arsenal manager admitted after the 2-0 win at Villa Park that “Leo is upset, but he is upset and shows on the pitch how good he is … that is a big message and a big example for the rest of the team and myself.”
Trossard’s face after scoring with his first touch reflected his frustration on failing to become a regular starter since his £21m move from Brighton in January 2023 but the Belgium winger concedes that competition for places is helping drive up standards as Arsenal look to improve on last season’s runners-up place in the Premier League.
Despite starting as many games on the bench as in the team, Trossard feels he is improving as a player. “Definitely, you can see it on the pitch,” he said. “I have showed that over the last months and it helps the team too, and pushes everyone. In every position there is competition and that’s what a club like Arsenal needs.”
He concedes he has had to adjust his mentality after being such a star player at Brighton. “It’s something you need to develop as well,” he said. “I know the competition in the team pushes everyone to go onto the next level.”
Gabriel Martinelli has started both of Arsenal’s wins so far this season on the left wing but Trossard’s deadliness in front of goal when games become more stretched is a key factor. Is he content with such a role in the long term?
“Everyone wants to start games and play games, obviously,” he said. “It’s up to the player how they respond. I always want to make an impact, if it is off the bench or a starter. I have done my job today and there’s not much more I can do. I just want to help the team … and I am ready for the next games.”
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Overcoming Villa – the only team to beat them in the Premier League in 2024 – was a statement win as Arsenal now face the other teams in the current top four in their next three games: Brighton, Tottenham and Manchester City.
“We want to win every game and we are off to a great start. It’s a tough, tough fixture to come here and win,” Trossard said. “Next week is a tough fixture again. I know them very well [but] we are up for it again.”