Theo Walcott admitted that Leandro Trossard has proven him wrong this season as the Arsenal forward put in another accomplished display to help his side beat Inter 3-1 in the Champions League.
A brace from Gabriel Jesus saw the Gunners continue their perfect record in the Champions League with a hard-earned victory at the San Siro, which also guarantees Mikel Arteta’s side a top-two finish in the league phase.
Jesus diverted Jurrien Timber’s effort past Yann Sommer to give Arsenal the lead, but Inter drew level only eight minutes later through Petar Sucic’s well-hit strike.
But Jesus headed home from close range after Leandro Trossard kept a set-piece alive impressively at the back post to restore Arsenal’s lead before Viktor Gyokeres put the game to bed with a goal off the bench.
For Trossard, the assist marked the Belgian’s 14th goal involvement in 27 appearances in all competitions this season, continuing his fine form after a summer which saw his long-term Arsenal future called into doubt.
And Walcott insisted that Trossard’s form this season has ‘surprised’ him, with the former Arsenal winger also suggesting he was wrong to think he was a player Arteta should be trying to replace.
‘There were rumours of Leandro Trossard moving on, and Martinelli as well,’ Walcott told Amazon Prime.
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‘That was a position I thought was up for grabs but they have proved me wrong.
‘They’ve both really picked up their levels, they are both competing in a healthy environment as well. It’s been a kind of ‘I’ll score more than you’ but in a good way.
‘Leandro Trossard is the player I’ve really been impressed with because he’s different to everyone else they have got on that left-hand side.
‘Martinelli has pace, and you can’t teach that, but Leandro picks up spaces, and what I really like about him is he’s so calm.
‘You’re not quite sure what you’re going to get from him, and he’s been so consisent and it’s really surprising.’
Asked about Trossard’s performances this season, former Manchester United and England captain Wayne Rooney said: ‘I think Trossard, as Theo said, has been excellent this season and he’s a difficult player to pick up.
‘He drifts into the number ten position, at times he stays out wide. He can use both feets and scores big goals, so I think he’s been excellent.’
More to follow…
