Trossard’s Goal, Heartbreak, and New Injury Worry for Arsenal
So, the Aston Villa vs Arsenal clash turned into one of those roller-coaster Premier League afternoons where everything that could go wrong for the Gunners somehow did. And at the centre of it all was Leandro Trossard — who came on, scored, lifted the team’s energy… and then ended up limping off before full-time.
The story of his night actually started before he even stepped on the pitch. Trossard had only just returned from an ankle issue that kept him out of Arsenal’s last two league matches. He wasn’t expected to start, and was only considered fit enough for the bench. But Mikel Arteta clearly felt something had to change after a disappointing first half in which Arsenal trailed, so Trossard and Viktor Gyökeres were sent on at half-time.
And almost instantly, Trossard made the kind of impact Arsenal fans have come to expect from him. Just seven minutes after coming on, he arrived at the far post with that classic clinical touch to slot in Bukayo Saka’s deflected cross. The equaliser couldn’t have come at a better time, and it felt like momentum had finally swung Arsenal’s way.
Also Read:- What’s Coming Up on TF1’s “50mn Inside” Tonight
- Barcelona Outguns Betis in a Wild Eight-Goal Thriller
For a while, Arsenal dominated and looked far more likely to win than to lose. But as the match moved into the final stages, something didn’t seem right with Trossard. He was seen limping during open play, and by the 86th minute, Arteta made the decision to take him off and replace him with Gabriel Martinelli. It was clear the manager didn’t want to risk pushing him any further — especially since this was his first appearance after a spell on the sidelines.
Then came the gut punch. Deep into stoppage time, Emiliano Buendia struck a dramatic winner for Villa. From the touchline, Arteta looked stunned. One moment Arsenal appeared to be pushing for three points, and the next they were walking off the pitch with nothing.
After the match, Arteta confirmed that Trossard’s early withdrawal was precautionary. The player had been limited to a specific number of minutes after his recent injury, and because he was used earlier than planned, the substitution had always been on the cards. But the limp still raises fresh concerns at a time when Arsenal are already missing key players like Gabriel, William Saliba, and Kai Havertz.
It’s especially frustrating because Trossard has been such a crucial figure this season. Despite big summer arrivals, he’s stayed central to Arsenal’s attack, scoring important goals — including this one — and becoming the club’s joint-top scorer with six in all competitions.
Now, with a busy festive schedule ahead — Wolves, Everton, Brighton, and another meeting with Villa — Arsenal need every bit of firepower they can get. Arteta insisted after the match that the team’s consistency and resilience will carry them forward, but losing in this fashion, and potentially losing Trossard again, is undoubtedly a painful blow.
Still, as Arteta said, this is football — and now it’s about how the team responds.
Read More:
0 Comments