3 reasons why Leandro Trossard should replace Gabriel Jesus

2. Able to replicate Jesus’ role

Trossard is definitely the most similar to Gabriel Jesus in terms of play style in this Arsenal side, and as shown in Arsenal’s ‘All or Nothing’ documentary, Arteta strongly believes that his players should know where each other are at all times to ensure quick passing and maximise control. With this, it seems natural that you would opt for a like-for-like replacement up top so passing patterns remain familiar to the side. With this, Trossard would be more of a natural fit than Hale End contenders Folarin Balogun and Eddie Nketiah.

Trossard proved last season that he can replicate Jesus’ link-up play, and he’s more than comfortably fluidly rotating into deeper areas and out wide. With the possibility of Declan Rice and Thomas Partey both starting, Trossard could be the man to drop into midfield at times to aid Martin Odegaard on the creative front.

As Jesus has also shown with the Gunners, strikers can do more than just score. They can be playmakers, too. Last season, Trossard was exactly that. In the 3-0 win over Fulham, Trossard became the first player to bag a hat-trick of assists in the first half of a Premier League game since Cesc Fabregas in 2009.

Trossard is only going into his first full season as a Gunner, but he has quickly adjusted to Arteta’s framework and established strong bonds with those around him on the pitch. Similar to Kari Havertz, his manipulation of space seems natural yet of the highest ability, and it is perfect for Arteta’s free-flowing system.

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