Mikel Arteta must never attempt Leandro Trossard experiment after awful Belgium scenes
Mikel Arteta should not be using Leandro Trossard anywhere other than left wing after the Arsenal star’s struggles with Belgium.
Arsenal are keen to offer Trossard a new contract to reward the attacker’s performances so far this season, having notched four goals and four assists in 14 appearances across all competitions.
He was vital for the Gunners last term, with 19 goal contributions to his name, and despite a summer of major spending at the Emirates Stadium, he remains a starting player in North London.
Viktor Gyokeres has struggled to hit the ground running after his £55million arrival, and with the Sweden international now injured, Arteta may need another option at striker against Tottenham on Sunday, 23 November.
Leandro Trossard struggles as Belgium stunned in World Cup qualifier
Mikel Merino was used out of position for much of the 2024-25 campaign, when he bagged nine goals and assisted five more goals, but that was never going to be a long-term fix.
Trossard has been known to deputise in the centre-forward spot, but during Belgium’s 1-1 draw against Kazakhstan on Saturday, 15 November, Arteta will think twice about using him there again.
With 107 spots separating the two sides in the FIFA rankings, everyone expected a complete walkover in Group J, but the Red Devils failed to get anything more than a point away from home.
| Leandro Trossard vs Kazakhstan | Stats [FotMob] |
| Minutes played | 71 |
| Passing accuracy | 85% (33/39) |
| Shots (On target) | 2 (1) |
| Successful dribbles | 100% (2/2) |
| Dispossessed | 5 |
| Ground duels won | 40% (4/10) |
Although Lois Openda made an appearance from the bench, Trossard was trusted as the lone striker, a decision which entirely backfired for Rudi Garcia and his team.
Mikel Arteta must keep Arsenal star on the left flank
In 71 minutes, the 30-year-old created just one chance, built up an expected goals (xG) of 0.37 with two shots, accurately delivered just 11 per cent of his crosses, and was dispossessed a total of five times [FotMob].
He also won just 40 per cent of his ground duels, being silenced by a resolute Kazakhstan side, who grabbed their eighth point of the World Cup qualification campaign.
It was an absolutely pathetic showing from the winger, who was clearly massively uncomfortable out of position, but he was forced to live through it until the final 20 minutes, when he was replaced.
Arteta has now been shown what happens when starting Trossard through the middle for the majority of the game, and while Gyokeres might be unavailable, the Belgian is not the answer.