Leandro Trossard will be on cloud nine after scoring a crucial goal during Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday at Villa Park.
After just two matches, Mikel Arteta‘s side were well aware of the magnitude of the game that was already awaiting them in the Premier League.
Arsenal narrowly missed out on the Premier League title last term and Aston Villa were their biggest nightmare because Unai Emery’s men beat them home and away in 2023/24.
But ahead of another title push, the team have put out a statement of intent because those three points could be huge in the long run.
For large parts of that game at Villa Park, it was starting to look and feel like another upset was on the cards and Arsenal were going to possibly drop points again.
Ollie Watkins missed two glorious chances to score, and in truth, the home team should have been 2-0 ahead, with David Raya starring for Arsenal with the gloves.
But then super sub-Trossard came off the bench and did what he does best, and that’s put the ball into the back of the net in a calm and ruthless manner.
There was a muted celebration from the 29-year-old, who was probably sending out the message that he should be starting ahead of the out-of-form Gabriel Martinelli.
But Chris Sutton found Trossard’s actions ‘very strange’ and thinks his manager isn’t going to be happy about it, as he told The Monday Night Club.
The former striker touched upon how Arteta is all about ‘team spirit’ and ‘togetherness’, but Trossard didn’t show an ounce of that at Villa Park.
Leandro Trossard’s celebration
“What was up with Trossard,” questioned Sutton. “That was very strange, wasn’t it? What was he playing at?
“He scored a wonderful goal. He was so important to them last season. What is it with these modern players that they are so angry when they are taken off or when they come off the bench? Why can’t they just get on with it? It’s a squad game. It’s just the modern player.
“Arteta is big on team spirit and team morale. I am not sure how he would have taken that, actually. I don’t think he would have taken it well. He is big on this togetherness and it’s a squad game. He always talks that up. I don’t think Trossard has done himself any favours. Who does that? (Doesn’t look happy after scoring). I don’t smile a lot, but I thought it was particularly miserable.”
Gabriel Martinelli’s form
You sense it’s a matter of time before Arteta drops him to the bench and it could come this weekend against Brighton.
Martinelli has been told he is being desperate with his play, as Trossard, going back to last season, continues to bang and knock that door down.
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Last season, Trossard scored 12 goals from just under 1,700 minutes of Premier League football, with Martinelli netting six goals in just over 2,000 minutes.
You sense Arteta needs to change that now, although Trossard has been told he isn’t good enough to win the title for Arsenal, as he pushes for starts.
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