Leandro Trossard has quietly become one of Arsenal’s most important match-winners. After scoring the winner in the previous north London meeting, he opened the scoring in the latest derby — a clever run and composed finish from Mikel Merino’s pass — underlining how often his contributions arrive at the biggest moments.
November has been especially productive: Trossard has recorded at least a goal or an assist in every Arsenal game this month and now leads the club for goal involvements this season. Two goals and three assists in his last four matches have cemented his place on the left and given Mikel Arteta a reliable attacking outlet as the team chases trophies.
That tendency to influence big games predates this season. Since arriving from Brighton nearly three years ago, Trossard has repeatedly produced decisive moments against elite opponents, with notable contributions in matches against the likes of Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool.
His signing was an economical alternative after Arsenal missed out on a different target, yet the club resisted calls to sell him in the summer despite suggestions he might move on. Instead Arsenal offered a new contract — a decision Arteta defended emphatically, saying there was no chance he should leave.
Availability has been a major reason for the club’s faith. Trossard has made more appearances under Arteta than any other player signed in his era and was the only Arsenal forward named in all 38 Premier League matchday squads last season. Since joining, he has missed just three matches — two due to knocks and one because of a suspension after a controversial sending-off at Manchester City — a reliability that matters in a squad that can be very young and occasionally injury-prone.
Although he tops appearance numbers, his total minutes have sometimes lagged because Arteta has used him as an impact substitute — the so-called “finisher.” Early this season his first goal involvement came off the bench against Athletic Club, but he has increasingly become a regular starter: he’s started nine of Arsenal’s last ten matches, including eight straight Premier League starts.
A key factor behind the improvement is positional clarity. Last season’s injury problems pushed him around the front line and even into central roles, but this campaign he has largely occupied the left wing, a position he says suits him and has given him more rhythm and consistency.
Trossard’s understanding with certain team-mates has also helped. The unpredictability of players who roam from their nominal positions — in particular the positional fluidity of Riccardo Calafiori — creates space and opportunities that suit Trossard’s instinctive play. He and those team-mates have developed an intuitive connection, allowing quick combinations and even blind passes that catch opponents out.
Taken together — availability, positional consistency, chemistry with team-mates and a knack for important goals — Trossard’s recent form has silenced many sceptics. His contributions have made Arsenal more rounded and resilient and reinforced his role as a key piece in Arteta’s bid for silverware.