As injuries reshape Arsenal’s midfield, Leandro Trossard is expected to take a central role against PSG, with L’Équipe questioning why it took so long to get here.
Leandro Trossard has emerged as a central figure in Arsenal’s Champions League campaign at a time when squad depth is being tested and tactical plans must shift.
In a detailed feature in their Wednesday edition, L’Équipe explores how the Belgian has quietly positioned himself as a serious option through a combination of form, positional intelligence, and timing.
With Thomas Partey suspended and Jorginho possibly ruled out for the remainder of the season, Mikel Arteta is expected to adjust his lineup for the semi-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain. According to the piece, Trossard is increasingly likely to start up front.
The report notes that Trossard has scored three goals in his last three starts as a centre-forward, including a brace in Arsenal’s 4-0 win at Ipswich. That form, coupled with his technical flexibility, has not gone unnoticed.
The article also raises retrospective questions about Arsenal’s January transfer window, during which the club actively searched for a new striker despite already having players like Trossard capable of filling the role.
When Trossard joined from Brighton in January 2023 for £27 million, Arteta praised his versatility, saying, “We needed an attacker who could operate across multiple forward positions, right, left, as a nine or a false nine, and Leo fits that perfectly.”
The article highlights what we all know – that Trossard was not Arsenal’s first-choice target at the time. Mykhailo Mudryk was. But once the Ukrainian opted for his disastrous move to Chelsea, Arsenal moved swiftly.
Marseille were also interested, but Trossard chose the Premier League leaders without hesitation when it was clear that his time at Brighton was over.
After a start that included only one goal but 10 assists in his first half-season, Trossard followed that with a strong campaign: 17 goals, three assists.
This season, he is on nine goals and seven assists with seven, possibly eight games remaining.
Despite not always being first-choice on the left, Gabriel Martinelli has often been preferred when fit, Trossard’s influence has grown, particularly when deployed centrally.
His recent finishes, scored with both feet, underline the kind of balance and threat Arsenal have increasingly leaned on.
Talks are already underway about a contract extension, with Trossard’s agents having met Andrea Berta, the club’s newly appointed sporting director. His current deal expires at the end of next season.
As L’Équipe points out, while Trossard has often been seen as a plan B at Arsenal, he would be a plan A for many top clubs in Europe.
Arsenal may now be realising that the answer to their attacking dilemma was already in the building.