In Focus: Trossard transfer is proving key to Gunners’ title charge

Leandro Trossard is on a roll at Arsenal.

After missing out on Mykhailo Mudryk, the Gunners swooped for the Belgian forward in January after his public falling out with Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi.

And with seven assists in his last six league appearances for the North London outfit, he is proving key to their title tilt.

We examine how Trossard, who appears to be a perfect fit at his new club, is guiding the Gunners with Liverpool looming large this afternoon.

Leo’s roaring start

Trossard has taken no time at all to settle in.

Three seasons of Premier League experience have proven key to the Maasmechelen native making an immediate impact at the Emirates.

He has bagged one goal and registered a remarkable seven assists in just 11 top-flight appearances since moving to the capital.

Trossard’s latest contribution came in Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Leeds when he wriggled away from Robin Koch before finding Gabriel Jesus, who fired home the Gunners’ third of the afternoon.

Ticks all the boxes

Following Arsenal’s latest win, Mikel Arteta revealed the difference Trossard makes to his side.

The Spaniard said: “We knew about [Trossard’s] quality and what he could bring to the team.

“We are really pleased with him. He can play on the right, he can play on the left, he can play as an attacking midfielder, as a No9, a false nine.

“He’s really contributing to the team and he really takes a lot of responsibility in games to make things happen and we love that.”

Classy contributions

Trossard’s composure and ability to use both feet are among the skills that make him such a dangerous forward.

He has registered 101 passes in the attacking third for the league leaders, creating 15 opportunities and seven big chances.

The Belgian international has also proved tricky to contain, completing 11 of his 14 take-ons.

These qualities allow him to play across the front three, filling in for Gabriel Martinelli, Jesus or Bukayo Saka when needed.

Cazorla clone

Former Gunners goalscorer Kevin Campbell gave a glowing review of the Belgian’s performances and likened him to ex-Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla.

He said: “If you told me that Trossard would have had this impact in such a short space of time, if he had half the impact, I’d have been happy.

“Wearing that badge is heavy but he’s taken to it like a duck to water. He can play across the front line. He’s [made] the biggest impact of all — we need him to keep making an impact for the next nine games, that’s for sure.

“They don’t play in the same spot, but I can see the comparison [with Cazorla] because he has such quick feet like Santi did in the middle of the pitch, he can see things quickly and Santi saw things quickly.”

Red alert

Arsenal travel to Merseyside to play Liverpool this afternoon.

The Reds sit eighth with continental football next term looking increasingly unlikely.

Anfield has proven a difficult place for the Gunners to visit in recent history. Their last league win at the ground came in September 2012 when Arteta was on the pitch.