Mikel Arteta deployed Leandro Trossard in a false nine position against Leicester City (Picture: Gett)
Mikel Arteta was thrilled with the performance of Leandro Trossard in Saturday’s vital Premier League win over Leicester City.
The January signing from Brighton has made an instant impact since his £27million arrival and was to the fore again at the King Power, albeit in an unfamiliar role.
With Gabriel Jesus still out injured and Eddie Nketiah nursing a knock that kept him on the substitutes’ bench, Arteta chose to deploy the Belgium international as a false nine, with Gabriel Martinelli restored to the starting line-up in his customary left wing role.
The pair dovetailed superbly early in the second period as Trossard played a perfect pass into the path of his teammate who coolly slotted home the only goal of the game.
Asked how Trossard performed up front, Arteta said: ‘Really well. I think he was really good.
‘He got involved in many situations that could have led to many more big chances. He was involved in that incredible goal that he scored that was disallowed.
‘He was involved in the goal of Gabi with the pass that he played to him. He’s so good in tight spaces and small spaces with that creativity to open people up. I’m really happy we have him.’
Leandro Trossard was unfortunate to see his goal ruled out against Leicester City (Picture: Getty)
Asked if Trossard could be used again in the role with a game against Everton coming up on Wednesday, Arteta added: ‘We had the option.
‘We had the option to play Gabi as a nine and Leo on the left. We had to see how the game developed and what Leicester wanted to do.
‘I wanted to have that option on the field to make that change if necessary and I think it was great because he was really good.’
Trossard and fellow January recruit Jorginho have hit the ground running at their new club and Arteta paid tribute to the club’s board for acting so swiftly having missed out on Moises Caicdeo and Mykhailo Mudryk.
He said: ‘They are two players that already have experience in our league that are really well fitted to our way of playing.
‘Really intelligent to understand what we demand to execute certain things and they have the personality to play the way we played. This is what’s required at this level.
‘We were very clear about what we wanted to do, we could not do it and we had to adapt. You have to do that in the window.
‘Don’t feel sorry for ourselves. I think everybody from the board, Edu especially with Rich were really strong in doing what we had to do and we were first there to get what we wanted.’
MORE : Gary Lineker slams VAR decision to disallow Arsenal goal vs Leicester
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The January signing is proving his worth.
