Heroic Trossard helps wasteful Arsenal survive big scare

Leandro Trossard proves to be the hero in Arsenal's 4-2 win against Leicester City, scoring a crucial goal and delivering a last-minute assist.

In a pulsating Premier League encounter at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal emerged victorious with a 4-2 triumph over Leicester City. Leandro Trossard was undoubtedly the man of the match, stepping up in crucial moments to guide the Gunners to a hard-fought win. The Belgian attacker demonstrated why he is quickly becoming one of Arsenal's most important players with his decisive contributions, both in scoring and setting up crucial plays.

Trossard: Arsenal's Undisputed Hero

Leandro Trossard has been known for his versatility, but in this match, his role as Arsenal's hero became even more apparent. From the moment he was introduced into the lineup, Trossard seemed determined to leave his mark on the game. His movement off the ball, creativity in the final third, and his ability to link up play were all on display, with the Belgian proving to be a thorn in Leicester's defense.

Trossard's crucial involvement began with a stunning goal. Gabriel Martinelli, who had been wasteful in previous matches, provided a brilliant assist, which Trossard slotted in effortlessly. His goal, Arsenal's second of the match, came at a pivotal moment when the Gunners needed to regain their control after an intense spell of pressure from Leicester. Trossard’s clinical finish gave Arsenal a two-goal cushion, but it was far from the last time he would play a key role in the match​.

As the game progressed, Leicester City mounted a fierce comeback. James Justin’s deflected header pulled one back for the Foxes, and his sublime volley later in the game left the Arsenal defense scrambling. It was during this period of uncertainty that Trossard once again stepped up, ensuring Arsenal would not fall victim to Leicester’s momentum. Deep into stoppage time, Trossard delivered a dangerous cross into Leicester's penalty area, forcing Wilfred Ndidi to make an awkward clearance that resulted in an own goal. That late strike sealed the victory for Arsenal and left the home crowd in jubilation​.

Arsenal's Tactical Shift and Defensive Woes

While Trossard was undoubtedly the man of the hour, Arsenal's defensive performance will raise concerns for Mikel Arteta. Despite dominating the first half and looking comfortable in possession, Arsenal's backline appeared vulnerable in the second half, allowing Leicester to claw their way back into the match. The Gunners' inability to hold onto their lead, especially after being two goals up, nearly cost them the game.

The absence of Thomas Partey in midfield was sorely felt, with the Ghanaian sidelined due to injury. His replacement, Jorginho, struggled to provide the same defensive cover, and Arsenal's midfield often looked exposed during Leicester’s counterattacks. While Jorginho’s passing was crisp and helped Arsenal control the tempo for much of the game, his lack of physicality allowed Leicester to exploit spaces in midfield​.

William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães, Arsenal’s two central defenders, were also guilty of lapses in concentration. Jamie Vardy, who had a relatively quiet game, was able to create opportunities for his teammates due to Arsenal's disorganization at the back. Leicester's first goal came from a deflected header, but it was clear that Arsenal’s defenders were caught ball-watching, leaving James Justin unmarked at the far post​(

Martinelli's Resurgence and Havertz's Impact

Aside from Trossard’s heroics, Gabriel Martinelli’s performance will be another talking point. The Brazilian winger has been under scrutiny in recent weeks, with many questioning his end product. However, against Leicester City, Martinelli looked back to his best. His relentless pressing, coupled with his intelligent runs behind Leicester’s defense, caused problems for the visitors all game long. His goal, a well-taken strike in the first half, was his first for Arsenal since March, and his link-up play with Trossard provided the foundation for Arsenal’s attacking threat​.

Kai Havertz also had a significant impact after coming on as a late substitute. The German international, who has had a mixed start to his Arsenal career, showed glimpses of his quality with his intelligent positioning and quick decision-making. His goal, albeit fortunate, came at a crucial moment, effectively putting the game beyond Leicester’s reach. It was a scrappy effort, coming off a deflection, but Havertz's ability to be in the right place at the right time will have pleased Arteta, who is keen to see the former Chelsea man add more goals to his game​.

Arsenal's Title Ambitions: The Road Ahead

With this victory, Arsenal remains firmly in the title race, sitting level on points with Manchester City at the top of the table. Mikel Arteta’s men have shown that they can win ugly, and their ability to grind out results, even when not at their best, is a hallmark of potential champions. However, there are still areas of concern that need addressing if Arsenal are to maintain their momentum and mount a serious title challenge.
Defensively, Arsenal cannot afford to switch off as they did against Leicester. The Gunners have a challenging run of fixtures ahead, and teams like Manchester City, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur will undoubtedly punish any defensive lapses. Arteta will be hoping that Thomas Partey can return to full fitness soon, as his presence in midfield is critical to Arsenal’s balance​.

On the attacking front, Arsenal looks formidable. The partnership between Trossard and Martinelli, combined with the creativity of Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, ensures that the Gunners will always carry a threat going forward. If Trossard can maintain his current form, he could be the key to Arsenal’s success this season.

Arsenal’s 4-2 victory over Leicester City was a thrilling encounter that highlighted both their strengths and weaknesses. Leandro Trossard’s heroics ensured that the Gunners took all three points, but there is still work to be done if Arsenal are to mount a serious challenge for the Premier League title.
This article highlights Leandro Trossard’s pivotal role in Arsenal’s victory over Leicester City, while also addressing the defensive vulnerabilities that Mikel Arteta’s side needs to rectify. As the season progresses, Arsenal's ability to navigate these challenges will determine their success in the Premier League.