One Arsenal player is now set to be deployed in an unfamiliar tactical role for his country at this summer’s Euros tournament.
Leandro Trossard finished the season in blistering form for Arsenal.
Whilst the attacker began the campaign as a backup option behind Gabriel Martinelli, he ended the season as Mikel Arteta’s first choice pick on the left flank.
Trossard was compared with Arsenal legend Freddie Ljungberg due to his prolific streak over the course of the run-in. He ended the season with 17 goals, across all competitions. Five of those strikes came in the final eight Premier League games of the campaign.
Now the Belgian is set to feature for his country at Euro 2024. However, he is unlikely to be positioned in his preferred role in Germany.
Arsenal star Leandro Trossard set for new Belgium role
It has been said that Trossard is amongst the best in Europe when playing on the left wing. However, due to the presence of Manchester City star Jeremy Doku in the Belgium squad, Trossard is set to be shifted to the other side of the pitch.
According to Belgian football expert Kristof Terreur, speaking to the official Arsenal website: “He will play in a bit of a different role for the Belgian team. I don’t know if it’s his best role but we have plenty of attacking talent and he’s first pick I think on the right side.
“I think him coming from the left, as proven with Arsenal, has always been better, even as a false nine. He has competition from Jeremy Doku from Manchester City there.”
Could Leandro Trossard play on the right for Arsenal?
Trossard has played on the right flank very sparingly for Arsenal. However, if he can impress in that role this summer, then Arteta may begin to consider the 29-year-old a more viable option to provide cover for Bukayo Saka in that part of the pitch.
Certainly, if Martinelli can get back to his best next season, then Trossard’s versatility will have to come into play if he is to get as much game time for the Gunners as he will want and expect.
Trossard and Arteta have had a fractious relationship at times, and a rift could develop between the pair if the former Brighton and Hove Albion man is restored to be being a backup option next season.
Equally, Belgium could find that they don’t get to see the best of Trossard this summer if they confine him to the right wing. In any case, it will be fascinating to see how he adapts to the role he looks likely to be handed in Germany.