Leandro Trossard was almost the Arsenal match-winner last time out after his thumping strike in the 2-2 draw at Sunderland, and his former coach has now come out and spoken of his attitude
Mikel Arteta looks to have had a positive effect on Leandro Trossard, as the Belgian’s former coach has accused him of “sulking” in the past.
Trossard joined Arsenal in the 2023 winter transfer window from Brighton in a deal worth ÂŁ27m. The Belgian international had already proved himself a top Premier League player with the Seagulls.
Now in his fourth season at the Emirates Stadium, the 30-year-old is still producing impressive numbers. In his first full campaign in an Arsenal shirt, he scored 17 goals. The following season brought another 10, and this year he has already notched four goals and four assists.
However, it seems Arsenal’s No.19 wasn’t always a pleasure to work with. His former coach at Genk, Peter Maes, remembers a different side to Trossard.
He said, via Voetbal Primeur: “At that time, I didn’t immediately see Leandro as a true captain. Because he’s primarily someone who focuses on his own game.
“At least when I was training him. He wasn’t a regular starter yet, and he often sulked in training. Perhaps he’s evolved since then, because he’s doing a very good job at Arsenal now.”
The Belgium-born star began his career with Genk, rising through the youth academy before breaking into the first team. During that period, he spent four consecutive seasons out on loan with various Belgian clubs.
The season before joining Brighton, Trossard delivered an impressive 32 goal involvements in 47 appearances. Now, six years on from his time in Belgium, Maes can see how the winger has matured.
He continued: “It’s true that Leandro is a strong personality. In that respect, he’s a candidate to be captain of the Red Devils, especially considering everyone who’s absent. He believes in himself deeply and can convey that belief to the rest of the team.”
Trossard signed a new deal with Arsenal over the summer. The contract did not extend his stay – his current deal still runs until 2027 – but it did come with a pay rise.
Recent reports now suggest Arsenal are considering extending his contract to 2028, with an option stretching as far as 2030 also said to be under discussion.
The interest in an extension stems from the Belgian’s impressive consistency. He is the third-oldest outfield player in Arteta’s squad, behind new signings Kepa Arrizabalaga and Christian Norgaard, yet he shows no signs of slowing down.
Trossard has started Arsenal’s last three games and continues to make the most of his minutes while several teammates remain sidelined through injury.
He scored in Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Sunderland and registered an assist in each of the two matches before that. Arteta will hope Trossard can maintain his strong form, and perhaps commit to a new contract.
