Leandro Trossard says scoring his first goal for Arsenal was a perfect moment, but that the game ended up being a missed opportunity.
Coming on for his third substitute appearance for Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday, Leandro Trossard bagged his first goal for the Gunners against Brentford.
In a tricky game where Arsenal were struggling to break the deadlock, a moment of quality from their two wingers gave them the lead.
Martin Odegaard played Bukayo Saka in behind the defence, and the 21-year-old held off a Brentford challenge before playing an early first-time ball across the box to the back post.
Trossard was waiting to pounce, tapping in on his weaker left foot for 1-0.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be a winner, as Brentford scored an offside goal incorrectly allowed to stand by VAR. The Gunners had to settle for a point, despite another step forward for their January signing.
“I saw B on the ball, I knew I had to make it at the back post,” Trossard said afterwards.
“It was a perfect cross and luckily I scored it. It was perfect for us to get the lead, and a perfect moment I think. But like I said, it’s nice to score, but it’s nicer if you can get the win of course.
“It’s always a missed opportunity I think if you were leading, especially we knew what they wanted to do. We know their game plan, that they were strong on set pieces and that’s how we conceded the goal.
“Overall we have to lift our heads up, and there is a game on Wednesday, and luckily it’s quite soon and we can go at it again.”
Arsenal are in a bit of a slump at the moment, losing to Manchester City in the FA Cup, followed by a defeat to Everton and a draw with Brentford.
Things aren’t going to get any easier in the coming week, with the visit of title rivals Manchester City on Wednesday.
But a result in that game could be a catalyst for the team to push on.
Trossard will look to make a positive impact once again, and perhaps the matchday officials will actually bother to take part in the match this time, after Saturday’s missed offside and the poor refereeing performance in last season’s home fixture against City.