Arteta’s super-sub was at it again against Villa (Picture: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta has hailed the mentality of Leandro Trossard after his performance off the bench in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa.
The Gunners made it two wins from two after victory at Villa Park on Saturday night with David Raya keeping them in the game with a stunning save to deny Ollie Watkins.
The England international missed another golden opportunity in the first-half with the hosts paying for their wastefulness in front of goal.
With the score still goalless, Trossard was summoned from the bench to replace Gabriel Martinelli after 65 minutes. Two minutes later, he was on the score sheet.
The Belgium international continued to torment the Villa backline with Thomas Partey’s effort from the edge of the box settling the game.
Trossard also started on the bench last week for the opening game of the season against Wolves and has so often played the role of super-sub for the Gunners since his arrival from Brighton.
In his post-match press conference, Arteta explained how the Belgian is always ‘upset’ to find himself left out of the team, but insists that energy served as an example for the rest of the squad in the battle for first-team roles.
Trossard scored two minutes after coming off the bench (Picture: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
‘When you don’t get picked there are certain ways to react,’ Arteta said.
‘For Leo, he is upset, he is upset to show on the pitch how good he is. Not upset because he is not playing. And that is a huge quality. When you put him in the starting XI he does the exact same thing and that is a big example for the rest of the team.
‘When he came in he was unbelievable. That is what we need.’
Asked if that mentality will encourage him to start Trossard more often, Arteta continued: ‘Always. We have two great left wingers.
‘It always a challenge but you know you are going to get the quality for specific games.
‘I decide to play Gabi [Martinelli and he had a good performance but when I decided we had to change to game because it was taking a different route, he [Trossard] came on and made the difference and big credit to him.’
Arsenal return to action at home to Brighton next Saturday.
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