Garcia replaced Trossard after the hour-markplaceholder image
Garcia replaced Trossard after the hour-mark | AFP via Getty Images
One of Arsenal’s regulars struggled for his national side on Sunday night.
One Arsenal player struggled for his national side on Sunday despite his team cruising to a win. Belgium continued their fine form with a 6-0 win over Kazakhstan to make it two wins from two in this international window, and two 6-0 wins no less.
During Sunday night’s win, Kevin De Bruyne scored twice, as did Jeremy Doku, while Nicolas Raskin and Thomas Meunier also scored. Arsenal star Trossard did start the game, but he was replaced in the 63rd minute after a pretty muted display.
In fact, NieuwsBlad scored his performance with a ‘5’ and reasoned with a pretty scathing review. The report read: “At one point, we wondered: what's Trossard's added value? He was sometimes pining for the ball on the left, but had little impact. However, he did contribute to the opening goal with a clever touch.”
Trossard has struggled to be a consistent impact player with Arsenal, too, failing to adequately replace Martin Odegaard last season. The Belgian has been better on the wing, but you do wonder how much football he will see now that Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze have been signed.
Trossard played in every Premier League game last season, and Arteta is a big fan of his, but as Arsenal continue to get stronger and stronger, it does look as though the former Brighton star will become more of a squad player.
As for Belgium they are now second in their qualifying group, one point behind North Macedonia and level on points with third-placed Wales. But the Red Devils do have a game in-hand, so they are on pace to go top. Their next two games are against North Macedonia and Wales in games that will define their qualifying campaign, and they go into those games having scored 16 goals in their last three games and having won 6-0 in each of their last two.
Belgium boss Rudi Garcia said after the win on Sunday: “I already told your television colleagues, but we're lucky we can still watch Kevin De Bruyne at his club and with the national team. That he can still showcase his talent for us. They're also praising him in Italy; he's a very good player. He's a true leader and very motivated with us. He showed that once again tonight."
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