With the Premier League title race heating up, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has highlighted the exceptional form of forward Leandro Trossard ahead of a crucial home fixture against reigning champions Liverpool on Thursday night.
In a pre-match press conference, Arteta singled out the Belgian for consistent excellence, declaring his performances this season “exceptional” and vital to the team’s attacking dimension.
Arteta specifically praised Trossard’s understanding of the game and his remarkable consistency. “I think his level of understanding and consistency, he’s got ability,” the manager stated. “But the level of consistency he’s showing this season in particular, I think, has been exceptional. I think he’s really clicking with the team in every aspect of the game and he’s a player that provides something different to what we have”.
This public commendation underscores Trossard’s evolution from a squad rotational piece to a fundamental component of Arsenal’s title challenge.
The 31-year-old forward’s influence is quantified by his output; he is currently Arsenal’s joint-top scorer in all competitions this season with seven goals, sharing the honor with Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyokeres. His contributions extend beyond goals, having also provided six assists, showcasing his dual threat as a finisher and creator.
His value is further emphasized by his involvement in 17 Premier League goals throughout the 2025 calendar year, a tally bettered by only a handful of the league’s most celebrated stars. This sustained impact comes after Arteta personally intervened to secure Trossard’s future at the club last summer, convincing him to stay with a revised contract.
Trossard’s anticipated start against Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium is seen as a key tactical decision for Arteta. The Gunners, seeking to extend their lead at the summit of the table, face a Liverpool side battling for Champions League qualification but plagued by injuries to key attackers like Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike.
In contrast, Arsenal’s squad is nearing full fitness, allowing Arteta to deploy his preferred front line. Trossard’s intelligence, versatility, and clinical edge are viewed as essential assets against a vulnerable Liverpool defense that has struggled with consistency.
The player himself has expressed contentment with his role and the collective ambition driving the team. “I’m loving life at Arsenal. I’m really happy to be here, it’s such a great club,” Trossard recently said. “We all have the same mindset this season. We want to win and we know how hard it is but I think we’re on the right track”.
This harmonious alignment between player and manager, built on trust and proven performance, frames Thursday’s encounter as more than just a match.
For Arsenal, it is an opportunity to avenge an early-season defeat at Anfield and demonstrate their championship credentials. For Trossard, it is another stage to justify Arteta’s faith and solidify his status as one of the league’s most quietly decisive players.