Southampton FC v Chelsea FC - Premier League - Source: Getty
Former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Former Chelsea hitman Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has said that he had doubts about Arsenal midfielder Leandro Trossard but that the Belgian has proved him wrong.
Since arriving from Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer of 2023, Trossard, 31, has played nearly 150 times across competitions for the Gunners, contributing 35 goals and 29 assists. That includes seven goals and six assists in 25 games across competitions this season, proving his utility to Mikel Arteta's side.
Although he didn't provide a goal contribution in the Gunners' 3-2 EFL Cup semi-final first-leg win at Chelsea in midweek, the Belgian earned lavish praise from Hasselbaink, who said on Sky Sports (via Metro) before the game:
"With all due respect to Leandro Trossard I am surprised. I thought at the start of season that they needed something better in that position, but he’s done a hell of a job. He’s filled that spot really, really well.
"He’s scored some seriously important goals at important times. He’s surprising me, and you can only say well done to him. I didn’t think he had it in him, but he’s doing it week in, week out now. He’s playing in front of Gabriel Martinelli too, and I didn’t think that would happen."
A key member of Arteta's midfield, Trossard played 75 minutes in the aforementioned game at Stamford before he was replaced by Gabriel Martinelli.
"I'm very proud of what the team has done" - Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta after Chelsea win
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta
Arsenal manager Mkel Arteta is happy with his team's effort in the EFL Cup semi-final first leg win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in midweek. The Gunners are looking to win the competition for the first time since 1993.
Needing to avoid defeat in the return leg at the Emirates next month to reach the Cup final for the first time since 2018, Arteta knows that there's still work to be done, saying (as per the Metro):
"It’s only half-time, but I’m very proud of what the team has done. We played against a really good side at a really difficult place. You want to start to play semi-finals and all the work you’ve done throughout the season to get to these stages to deliver on the day, and we’ve certainly done that."
Three different Arsenal players found the back of the net against the Blues, for whom Alejandro Garnacho starred with a second-half brace to keep his team in the tie ahead of the second leg in north London on February 3.