Why Arsenal will hand Trossard a new deal despite sharp-shooter’s costly errors

As Arsenal chased their first Premier League title in 20 years last season, they scored a rich run of goals in the form of Leandro Trossard.

His five goals in the last eight league games, which were eerily similar to those scored by Freddie Ljungberg at the end of the double-winning 2001-02 season, were not enough to wrest the title from Manchester City.

But the Belgian's form was crucial in taking the title race to the final day, and is part of the reason why – as my Mail Sport colleague Sami Mokbel reveals today – the 29-year-old is on the verge of a new contract to get.

Three months into the season, with January fast approaching, suggestions have emerged that Arsenal should consider selling Trossard after a disappointing start that was further dampened by a defeat for Belgium against Israel on Sunday.

The 29-year-old did not start in the league opener against Wolves and then had a 25-minute cameo against Aston Villa, where his goal changed the game two minutes after coming on.

He initially refused to celebrate out of frustration, before submitting to William Saliba's instructions. That moment seemed like the ideal kickstart for another successful run in the team, but that didn't happen.

Trossard is not the type of player who will register many goals or assists, as evidenced by his seven goals and one assist in the first 31 league matches of last season.

It is his clever movements, quick, sharp forward passes on breakaways and taking up space around the box that contribute to the wider good of Mikel Arteta's team.

Trossard's winner against Manchester United on May 12 – crawling to the front post and converting Kai Havertz's low cross – reflected his best qualities: quick movement using agility and precise finishing.

Such components have been missing lately. His decline began with the red card that turned Arsenal's crucial trip to Manchester City into a 45-minute attack-versus-defense exercise. Trossard's ill-advised decision to kick the ball away after the whistle, with Mikel Arteta's side leading the champions 2-1, cost his team the opportunity to take the game to City as they did in the final half hour of had done the first match. period.

Then, at Bournemouth in mid-October, his wild backpass put away opponent striker Evanilson, before tangling with William Saliba – who also saw red and set the tone for a damaging 2-0 defeat.

In the 1–0 defeat to Inter Milan in the Champions League, he was widely praised for being sloppy on the ball and failing to impress. He had only two touches in the penalty area (out of a total of 51 touches) and lost possession eight times.

Against Newcastle earlier this month he impressed again, making just five touches in the opposition's area (out of 37 total touches) and losing possession 11 times. It was these two displays that highlighted his decline in form, capped off by only being given a 19th-minute substitute against Chelsea before the international break.

Overall, he has the lowest shot conversion rate (10 percent) and the lowest expected goals percentage per 90 minutes (0.33) among Arsenal's forwards.

Trossard needs to improve and quickly, yes. But looking at his inability to make an impact ignores the wider context at Arsenal. Their talisman Martin Odegaard, who is enjoying most of the Gunners' best play, has only just returned from an ankle injury that saw him miss 12 games.

The Norwegian's absence has seriously damaged the team (Arsenal won just three of their seven league games in this period) and has forced Trossard to play mainly outside his preferred position and strengths.

His best position is on the left wing, which has been occupied by Martinelli, who has recently moved up a level. That is why he was mainly used as a striker, regularly switching positions with Kai Havertz. This season, Trossard has played up front 79 percent of the time in all competitions.

In contrast, the Belgian was deployed as a left winger 64 percent of the time last season, and was up front only 19 percent of the time.

The change is made more challenging by a sheer lack of creativity in midfield without Odegaard, who cuts through the back lines with through balls and is at the front of the press when the Gunners are not in possession.

Odegaard's return from injury should, among other things, give Trossard time to get back to his best.

Looking at Arsenal's attacking options, attackers are in short supply. The club were keen on Gabriel Jesus during their US pre-season tour, with the Brazilian emerging in impressive condition after a series of setbacks with knee injuries. So far this season, City's £45m purchase of City two years ago has failed to materialise. He scored just once against Preston in the Carabao Cup and started one league match.

Havertz has been a solid scorer, scoring seven in all competitions in 17 games, but has been used in a variety of roles. He cannot be relied on as the team's lone forward.

Apart from Trossard, Jesus and Havertz, Arsenal have no other recognized strikers. That's why, even in the unlikely scenario that the north London club were to buy an expensive striker like Newcastle's Alexander Isak in January, selling Trossard would be short-sighted.

If an upcoming signing were to get injured in the coming months, Arsenal would be extremely light at the top without Belgian Arsenal. It would be a reflection of the scenario they found themselves in with Odegaard's absence.

The summer transfers of Emile Smith Rowe to Fulham and Fabio Vieira on loan to Porto, as well as Arteta's fear of over-exposureing 17-year-old playmaker Ethan Nwaneri too early in his career, left the Gunners with a significant problem at the midfield. creativity. A gamble that didn't work – and from which they must learn.

Isak is loved by the Gunners, but any potential transfer is complicated by the fact that both teams are Premier League clubs. The price would be grossly inflated.

Trossard fulfills a number of roles. He is very effective on the left wing, as evidenced by his performances that left Martinelli on the bench last season.

He can play the role of super-sub: of his 17 goals in all competitions last season, six came as a substitute.

He is also undeniably clinical in front of goal when given the right opportunities. Trossard had the highest shot conversion rate (24.29 percent) and the second highest number of shots on target (29) for Arsenal last season. In a side that needed crafty finishers, Trossard came to the fore last season.

There's no reason why he can't regain that form now that Odegaard is back in the ranks and has a new contract under his arm.