Leandro Trossard has had quite a first year at the club.

Signed in January 2023 from Brighton, the Belgian International has had some outstanding moments wearing the red and white of Arsenal.

A hat-trick of assists against Fulham last season, goals in the Champions League this term, along with some big moments to snatch crucial points along the way. 

But for all his talent, he has had to make do with being a supporting cast member for much of his time.

He is now, however, staking a claim to be much more than that through a fine run of form.

He currently has four goals in five matches, including the crucial third against Liverpool just two weeks ago.

After his arrival in January last season, he showed himself to be an able deputy for Gabriel Martinelli, but also as an option as a centre forward in the absence of Gabriel Jesus, albeit without the goal threat.

Now though, he has added scoring to his repertoire to give Mikel Arteta a genuine selection headache.

It could be argued that Arsenal are simply a better team with him in it. He has ten goals and two assists in his 29 appearances this season, with many of those coming as a substitute, representing a goal contribution every 107 minutes. But it is his recent form that has really caught the eye. 

Against Burnley, Trossard may have been wasteful in front of goal, but he still won the penalty that put Arsenal 2-0 up and scored the fourth. His overall play though yet again showed his value to the side.

Impressive numbers 

His numbers this season remain impressive, especially when factoring in his versatility in attack. He represents the perfect utility man for Arteta. It is perhaps an argument that this is his role in this squad. He will likely have periods of selection followed by spells of limited opportunities, such is the embarrassment of riches that Arteta possesses.

But whether operating on the left flank, left eight or centre forward, Trossard has produced performances of a high standard.

He has recently yet again been called to deputise for the injured Jesus, and it is a testament to him that the difference in quality, both as an individual and as a team, has been negligible. 

Arsenal have scored 11 goals in those two games while conceding none in some spectacular away day performances. Trossard has scored in each, but it has been his link-up play that has impressed most.

Backed up by Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard, alongside the wing support of Bukayo Saka and Martinelli, Trossard has slotted in as the man to bring out the best in those around him. 

Although starting as a striker, Trossard effortlessly rotates with his fellow forwards to allow them to occupy different and unpredictable spaces.

If Havertz moves forward to offer a target for a long ball, then Trossard drops deeper. If Martinelli drifts inside to press, Trossard slots left to maintain Arsenal's shape. It sounds so simple, yet the effectiveness that Arsenal do it with represents hours of work on the training field.

Just five games ago, fans and the media alike were lamenting Arsenal's need for a traditional centre forward.

Since then they have scored 21 goals in five matches and, somewhat expectedly, those calls have diminished. 

It may well be an area Arsenal look to reinforce in the summer, but it is clear that scoring goals is no longer an issue of concern.