Leandro Trossard has claimed he is looking forward to the increased competition Gabriel Jesus’ return to from long term injury will bring at Arsenal. The Belgian was outstanding for the Gunners in their 3-0 victory over Fulham on Sunday. He assisted on all three goals as Mikel Arteta’s team regained a five-point lead over their rivals manchester City in the title race.
Gabriel Jesus’ long-awaited comeback from injury was also witnessed in the match, greatly enhancing Arteta’s attacking options in advance of the title run-in. Trossard has occasionally served as a false nine while both the natural strikers Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah have been absent. However, with the return of the Brazilian, Trossard’s place in the Arsenal starting lineup may now be in jeopardy.
Trossard draws inspiration from his arrival at Arsenal to go toe-to-toe against Gabriel Jesus
Trossard was signed by Arsenal in the winter market after the Belgian had a fallout with his former club Brighton. With the Gunners too having being pipped to Ukrainian talent Mykhaylo Mudryk’s signing by Chelsea, looking for a winger, a deal for Trossard quickly went through for €24m. A readymade Premier League veteran of 116 Premier League games, Trossard has made an immediate impact at Arsenal, recording 5 assists and a goal in 9 league games.
The ex-Brighton star believes his new club’s treatment of him in north London has a lot to do with his early success. Trossard was exposed to the competition from the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson when he arrived at the Emirates in January, before making his way into the starting lineup. Now he again faces an uphill task in giving a fight for retaining his spot against Gabriel Jesus. Asked whether he relishes the competition, the 28-year-old said:
“A lot. I had it already when I arrived here. It’s not that I went into the starting XI from the first week. I had to fight as well for it. I think we have such a good group and competition is that high that, as you saw in the last few weeks, we need everyone to win games. That’s what it is all about. That’s how you can win things.
“He (Gabriel Jesus) is a top player and he has contributed a lot already for Arsenal. You can see his presence. He makes other players better as well. We need everyone and it’s great to have him back.”
Speaking of his new teammates, Trossard continued:
“To be honest, they have made it easy for me. It’s such a good group. They let me feel welcome on the first day and it felt directly like home. Then it is so much easier for a new player to adapt to a new team. The manager also helped me a lot. I am a tactical player and they are all so good on the ball as well, so it’s easier to adapt. I am feeling great now.”
Arsenal now return to Thursday night action as they take on Sporting Lisbon in the second leg of their last-16 clash in the Europa League. Gabriel Jesus has a good chance of bagging his first start after returning to action, as the tie is rightly poised for him to make an impact with the score locked at 2-2. Meanwhile, Trossard could also be in the fray for a starting spot in Arteta decides to rest Gabriel Martinelli who had an exhausting game against Fulham.