Mikel Arteta has provided a positive update on the fitness of Leandro Trossard as Arsenal prepare to kick off their Premier League campaign
Arsenal star Leandro Trossard
Image credit: Getty Images
Mikel Arteta has provided a positive update on Leandro Trossard’s fitness as Arsenal prepare to kick off their Premier League campaign against Manchester United at Old Trafford next week.
The Gunners head into the new season looking to make a strong start after a mixed pre-season, which included back-to-back defeats to Tottenham Hotspur and Villarreal before ending on a high with a dominant 3-0 victory over Athletic Club on Saturday to lift the Emirates Cup.
New £63.7 million signing Viktor Gyokeres made an instant impact, scoring on his debut with a powerful header. Bukayo Saka netted twice, while substitute Kai Havertz also found the target, giving Arteta plenty to consider in his attacking selections ahead of a challenging early fixture list.
Trossard, however, missed the Athletic Club clash as he continues his recovery from a groin injury sustained in last month’s defeat to Tottenham. While Kai Havertz and new signing Riccardo Calafiori both passed late fitness tests, Havertz scoring Arsenal’s third and Calafiori completing the first half, the Belgian forward was not risked.
Arsenal - Leandro Trossard
Arsenal - Leandro Trossard
Despite his absence, Arteta is confident the 30-year-old will be ready for the season opener. “I think he is going to be in a few days,” Arteta said. “He had a little niggle in the groin, but he should be fine.”
Trossard featured in every Premier League match last season, tallying eight goals and eight assists, but now faces a race to be included in the matchday squad and extend his streak of consecutive league appearances.
In his absence, Gabriel Martinelli started on the left before being replaced by summer signing Noni Madueke. Arteta praised the former Chelsea winger, highlighting his versatility and attacking threat.
“You can tell the quality that he’s got every time he’s on the ball, in and around the box in 1v1 situations. The ball always lands to a player in our colours inside the box and that’s a massive quality to have. He can play left and right, he doesn’t care, so he’s a big weapon for us.”