Arsenal’s £20m ace tells Mikel Arteta he can thrive in a brand new position

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Arsenal forward Leandro Trossard believes he can replicate Granit Xhaka’s influence under Mikel Arteta if handed a deeper role by the Premier League giants. 

Arteta, when securing the Belgium international’s services back in January, wasted little time in highlighting Leandro Trossard’s ‘versatility’ and his ‘high technical ability and intelligence’ (Planet Sport). 

Attributes which have been clear to see over the last 10 months, Trossard’s ability to produce elite-level performances in a variety of different positions proving invaluable during a hectic fixture schedule. 

Can Leandro Trossard be Arsenal’s new Granit Xhaka?

The former Brighton and Hove Albion star continues to stand out regardless of whether or not he is deployed on the wing or through the middle as a centre-forward. And, if Trossard’s latest display away at Brentford on Saturday is anything to go by, the one-time Genk captain could yet add another string to his bow. 

We’ve already seen Trossard the striker and Trossard the winger? Is it now time for Trossard the midfielder?

“Yes, I think so,” Trossard told the Arsenal website when asked if he can replicate the influence of former Gunners hero Granit Xhaka in midfield. “It’s a position I can handle as well. I’ve played there with the Belgian national team.” 

Xhaka enjoyed his best season as an Arsenal player as an attack-minded, left-sided number eight last term, breaking into the penalty area and creating overloads on the flank. Kai Havertz may have come off the bench to net an 89^th minute winner at Brentford but Trossard’s performance in the old ‘Xhaka role’ was far more eye-catching than anything the much-maligned German has managed since crossing the capital. 

Mykhaylo who?

“I need to be switched on,” Trossard adds. “Vecause (my position) can change every week. It’s based on the game plan. Not every team plays the same system, and the manager thinks a lot about those things.  

“So it’s up to me to keep going and pushing to have game time.”

Trossard, signed by Arsenal after the Gunners were pipped to the post by Chelsea for Mykhaylo Mudryk, has six goals and two assists in 15 games this season.