Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta concedes that Leandro Trossard is the biggest moaner in the team but doesn’t want him to change as he hailed the Belgian’s competitive streak
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta concedes that Leandro Trossard is the biggest moaner in the team but doesn’t want him to change as he hailed the Belgian’s competitive streak Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta concedes that Leandro Trossard is the biggest moaner in the team but doesn’t want him to change as he hailed the Belgian’s competitive streak
Leandro Trossard is Arsenal’s No.1 “moaner” but Mikel Arteta is not complaining.
Trossard does not always look happy on the pitch but is now guaranteed a run in the starting line-up during Bukayo Saka ’s injury absence. Gunners winger Trossard, 30, has a reputation of being an impact substitute with a knack of scoring important goals but you can almost tell from his body language that he gets fed-up.
But Arteta says that he does not mind Trossard having a whinge because it shows just how much he cares, wants to win and also prove people wrong.
Arsenal boss Arteta said: “Yeah, Leo is naturally a bit of a moaner but I like that because he’s very competitive and you have training sessions, he’s always busy with the referee’s decision, because he wants to win. That’s what I love.
“He always wants to be the best and when he’s not there, he’s not happy. But that’s what pushes him. That’s where he comes in on the pitch, he can make an impact because he’s got that drive, that anger which says: ‘I’m gonna show you.’ I love that about him.
“He’s a really good character. They all want to play. Always want to play. Leo has shown a lot more consistency in the last 12 months, he’s deserved that. He’s had a lot of competition in his position. That’s it. Raise the level. If he plays at that level then he will play like anyone else. He has the capacity to do something special in the final third.
“He’s played and with us he’s played as a left winger, as an attacking midfielder, he’s played as a nine and he’s a player that I value a lot, we value a lot because he’s very versatile and very competitive and he’s a massive goal threat for the team. Really happy with him.”
Trossard started on the left wing in Arsenal’s win over Ipswich with Gabriel Martinelli on the right with Saka expected to be out for at least two months.
Raheem Sterling will also get an opportunity as he is due back from injury suffered in training before Christmas and Arteta says the England international will be determined to seize his chance.
Arteta said: “He was gutted because he had a good game against Crystal Palace here in the cup, he could have scored two goals and made an assist and in the end he got injured in a training session. That was his opportunity because naturally he would have played in that position. But knowing Raz, I think he will be back quite soon.”
Arteta knows his team are among the outsiders in this season’s title race with Liverpool the red-hot favourites. That must be some disappointment because Arsenal have pushed Manchester City all the way in the past two years but this season have not been consistent enough to lead from the front.
However, Arteta says his team are actually stronger and have grown because they have coped with setbacks this season – particularly with Saka and captain Martin Odegaard previously out with injuries – in a way they would not have done in the past.
Arteta added: “We’re proven that already this season, I’m sure of that. If this had happened last season, the number off games we’ve played with ten men, the injuries in the squad, for sure it would be difficult to be in the stages of the competition we are in now.
“So, for sure, the team has made another step, the team is evolving and adapting to new circumstances and now we have another one with more games with less players. So, let’s face it. Brentford will be very tough, a really good team. If you see their record at home until last week, it’s remarkable and they evolved and adapted as well with the qualities in the team with the players they have in the team. Very impressed.”
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