Let’s talk about Trossard and his hat-trick of assists in the Fulham game

Time to wax lyrical for our star acquisition from the January transfer window, Leandro Trossard, who is likely also the top signing for the whole January transfer window for Premier League 2022/2023 season.

The focus of this post is to highlight how Trossard enhances the team’s performance.

Experience

With 122 appearances and 25 goals under his belt for Brighton between 2019 and 2022, Trossard is well-versed in the workings of the Premier League and has seamlessly transitioned to playing for Arsenal.

Having played in 24 matches for Belgium and scoring 5 goals, Trossard has participated in high-profile events such as the Nation’s League and the 2022 World Cup.

During his time with the national team, he had the opportunity to play alongside established players like Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne.

Therefore, it goes without saying that Trossard is well-accustomed to handling pressure situations in games.

Versatility

Trossard’s ability to play various positions, including left wing back, left winger, right winger, false nine, and support striker, has made him an indispensable asset to the team, adding depth and versatility.

This is especially valued by Arteta, who appreciates players with this skill set.

Trossard is able to interchange positions with other versatile players like Martinelli, which can cause confusion for the opposition during games.

The chemistry between Trossard and Martinelli has reached a peak during their participation in games from January to March 2023.

It’s important to note that this chemistry was lacking when Nketiah was deputizing for Gabriel Jesus.

We are excited about the possibilities when Jesus is fully fit.

Ambipedal

In my 27 years of supporting Arsenal, I can recall only a few players who were equally effective with both feet.

Santi Cazorla would definitely be at the top of that list, while Bergkamp and Henry also had killer passes and finishes with their weaker foot.

Today, we have Martinelli, Saka, and Jesus, who are not afraid to shoot with their weaker foot, and this should be encouraged in all footballers as it makes them much more unpredictable.

Xhaka, Pepe, Nketiah, and even Ozil are predictable with their one-footedness. The window for the best possible pass or shot may have closed, by the time these players cut the ball back to their preferred foot.

Fortunately, Trossard is very ambipedal, with more than a third of his Premier League goals coming from his weaker foot.

During his hattrick of assists against Fulham, Trossard used his right foot for the corner and his supposedly weaker left foot for the other two crosses.

Coincidentally, Trossard wears the same number 19 jersey like Santi Cazorla, and he contributes to Arsenal’s free-flowing football.

Composure

Football fans are always amused when they see their players feinting shots, causing their opponents to jump in to block them.

Trossard is particularly adept at this skill.

Similar to Carzola, the Belgian player is able to cut left to right and right to left, like a circus master commanding his tamed creatures to leap upon demand.

This requires not only a cool head but also a high level of technical ability to execute.

It’s a valuable skill that helps the team retain possession of the ball.

GunnerBanana’s POV

Developing ambipedal skills and versatility are two aspects that can be trained from a young age.

The Arsenal Academy should focus on these skills during youth training and use the current two-footed players to inspire the kids.

By introducing the concept of playing football with both feet to academy kids, they are more likely to achieve proficiency with both feet.

While it’s true that many of the greatest players in football history had a dominant foot and won accolades with that one good foot, such geniuses are rare.

Additionally, helping them understand how to play in different areas of the pitch will provide them with a better understanding of how their future teammates make movements during the game.

With practice and time, these skills can be honed and developed.

COYG! (I finished a whole bag of potato chips during the 1st half of the Fulham game. It was so enjoyable to watch!)