57 touches, 4 recoveries: £27m Arsenal star is becoming undroppable under Arteta after Fulham display
Arsenal cemented their top spot in the Premier League following a 1-0 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage.
The Gunners had not won at the stadium in the last two meetings, picking up just a solitary point.
They managed to end the streak yesterday after Leandro Trossard scored from a Gabriel Magalhaes headed assist.
Bukayo Saka, who was the man of the match, delivered a sublime cross for Magalhaes from an Arsenal corner.
Before the derby, Trossard had started in the previous three league games and did not make a single goal contribution.
We had anticipated that the Belgian could make way for an in-form Gabriel Martinelli on the left wing against Fulham.
Martinelli had the better of Timothy Castagne in April this year in a 2-1 win at the Emirates Stadium, registering an assist.
However, manager Mikel Arteta had other plans and pitted Trossard against his Belgian compatriot yesterday.
There was a mixed response from the club’s faithful, with the decision to start Trossard, but the move ultimately paid dividends.
The £27 million signing, who had 57 touches in the game, did not complete a single cross (0/5) or dribble (0/1). He won just four out of eight duels alongside four recoveries.
Despite this, Trossard stood up when it mattered the most, scoring a vital goal to extend the club’s lead at the top to three points, at least temporarily.
The Belgian has now started in each of the last five Premier League and Champions League games. He is quickly becoming undroppable under Arteta.
The 30-year-old has not been playing at his best this campaign, but he has still contributed three goals and two assists from nine appearances.
Martinelli is knocking on the door for a starting league role, but Arteta is likely to stick with Trossard on the left wing after yesterday’s winner.
It remains to be seen whether the Brazilian gets the nod over Trossard for the midweek Champions League game against Atletico Madrid.
Stats from Sofascore.com
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