Roberto De Zerbi sends message to Leandro Trossard ahead of Arsenal clash

Leandro Trossard joined Arsenal from Brighton in the January transfer window (Picture: Getty)

Roberto De Zerbi insists he bears no ill-feelings towards Leandro Trossard ahead of the Arsenal winger’s Brighton reunion.

The Belgium international played a key role in the Seagulls’ excellent start to the season under Graham Potter, before thriving under his successor.

Trossard added to his burgeoning reputation with a hat-trick in a thrilling 3-3 draw at Anfield against Liverpool in De Zerbi’s first game at the helm and continued to impress up until the break for December’s World Cup.

Upon his return, his relationship with the Italian appeared to have turned sour with De Zerbi critical of the player’s attitude.

‘In the run-up to the match against Middlesbrough for the FA Cup, Leandro had already indicated twice that he had problems with his calf,” said Trossard’s representative Josy Comhair added.

‘This was the reason why he stopped training. This was, incidentally, in consultation with the medical staff. The manager told Leandro that he had to train separately.

‘Last Monday, the manager [De Zerbi] humiliated Leandro in [the] group and indicated that he no longer wanted to see him. A manager who has not communicated directly with his player for four weeks is really incomprehensible.’

The matter was eventually resolved when Arsenal agreed to pay Brighton an initial £25million for the 28-year-old after they missed out on the signing of Mykhailo Mudryk.

While Trossard has made a positive impact at the Emirates, the former Genk star has hardly been missed by the south coast club who have continued their impressive form since his departure.

The likes of Kaoru Mitoma, Julio Enciso and Evan Ferguson have shot to prominence, while seasoned Premier League campaigners Danny Welbeck, Solly March and Pascal Gross have rolled back the years.

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Ahead of his and Brighton’s reunion with Trossard, De Zerbi said: ‘Trossard is a fantastic player. He was a fantastic player when he played for us and he still is a fantastic player.

‘Now we have other players. I am proud for my players and I’m proud of my squad.

‘I only want to speak about my players and don’t want to speak about players from other teams.’

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The Belgium international’s agent accused Brighton’s boss of ‘humiliating’ his client ahead of his transfer to the Gunners.