One Arsenal player has forced Mikel Arteta to completely change his plans because of how good he’s been.
That’s the opinion of Jamie Carragher, who was eager to shine a light on Arsenal’s top performers in the Gunners’ win over Aston Villa.
Arsenal beat Aston Villa 4-1 at the Emirates, a result that upset Unai Emery and left fellow former Gunner Emi Martinez beside himself.
Though the Villans left N5 unsatisfied, those in the home dressing room had a night to remember, and one player enjoyed the occasion more than most.
Who was Arsenal’s Man of the Match against Aston Villa?
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Jamie Carragher is a huge fan of Leandro Trossard
Leandro Trossard showed his worth against Aston Villa, which might even be an understatement.
The Belgian was simply unplayable at times, scoring, assisting and being a model professional on the left flank.
Considering that Arsenal fans thought that Trossard signing a new contract was bad news, the 31-year-old has left many red-faced, changing the opinion of most.
The topic of changing opinions was what Carragher commented on when speaking about Trossard after the game.
“I mean, what a player he’s been for them,” Carragher said on Sky Sports.
“He was brought in as almost like a squad player a couple of years ago, but he’s forced himself now into the team, and he’s almost first choice on that left side.”
Photo by Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
When Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke arrived in the summer transfer window, it was assumed that Trossard would slip down the pecking order.
The former Brighton man has done the opposite, and Carragher knows exactly how.
“He always pops up with goals,” the pundit added, “Fantastic addition from Brighton.”
The £27m Arsenal paid for Trossard in January 2023 was one of the best pieces of business Arteta has pulled off at the Emirates, as the Belgian continues to lead the way.
Trossard is one of Arsenal’s best January signings ever
Signed from Brighton as a 28-year-old, Arsenal knew they’d get a Premier League-ready forward to sporadically call upon to offer support going forward.
What Arteta perhaps didn’t expect was for Trossard to become Arsenal’s most potent attacking option, which is what he ends 2025 with the title of.
Prove me wrong: Leandro Trossard is quickly proving himself to be Arsenal’s best January transfer.
Credit: Getty Images/Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC
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No Arsenal player scored more goals or provided more assists in the Premier League than Trossard in 2025, so, on the final day of the year, it seems appropriate to ponder whether the 2023 signing is one of Arsenal’s best to come from the January market.
The stakes to claim the throne are high, considering the Gunners recruited the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Theo Walcott and Nwankwo Kanu in January windows, but Trossard deserves to be in the conversation.
If the 31-year-old ends the season with a Premier League title to his name, it’s fair to say he could top the pile, in what has been a tremendous chapter so far for the winger.
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