Unnecessary Leandro Trossard Porto panic growing at Arsenal amid Mikel Arteta selection debate

I understand the panicafter Leandro Trossard’s game against Brentford, to a degree. I actually think he had a decent game and that he is in danger, if he hasn’t succumbed to it already, of cultivating a reputation for being somewhat “poor” when starting games on the left flank.

I think perhaps he is a victim of his own success when playing through the middle and his impact when coming on as a substitute. His goal contributions have been more frequent in these areas but people quickly forget his impact from the left.

Earlier this season, he started at left wing against PSV in the first game of the Gunners’ Champions League campaign and was brilliant. He scored and got an assist and was a highlight of the performance.

Other games have seen him score from the left against Crystal Palace in a 5-0 win, he came on to score from the left against Liverpool and Chelsea this season whilst also scoring at Everton having played the majority at left wing after replacing an injured Gabriel Martinelli. There is no doubt he was bought to be a left winger at Arsenal and provide quality in other positions and from the bench but he should be trusted.

Meanwhile, the calls for Gabriel Jesus are understandable as the obvious alternative but I struggle to see the characteristically central player seamlessly transitioning to the left having only just returned from injury. It is a very big ask of him.

Reiss Nelson is the closest in style to Martinelli as the Hale End graduate possesses the speed the other alternatives lack and certainly, the pace was what I think most thought was missing from the 22-year-old’s presence.

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