Leandro Trossard is a LEGO enthusiast – a few years ago he built a replica of the Taj Mahal, painstakingly assembling all 5,923 pieces – and here he’s created another masterpiece with just the flick of his right boot , even if he doesn’t really think so.
With half-time approaching, Arsenal were desperate for a goal and Trossard scored one in unorthodox fashion. Gabriel Jesus’ cross for Kai Havertz somehow saved the ball after he fell under pressure from Matt Doherty, then Avoid João Gomes and Santiago Bueno and find Trossard. There was no room for maneuver, but Trossard cut in with his right foot and his shot flew off the post into the top corner.
Trossard appears to be exchanging big goals. In his first game of the season, he secured eventual Community Shield victory, neutralizing Cole Palmer’s goal for Manchester City in the 101st minute before Arsenal won on penalties. . He equalized at Stamford Bridge and maintained an unbeaten start amid the unfiltered optimism of October. Last month, he scored the winner at home to Porto and equalized against Bayern Munich to ensure Arsenal traveled to Germany on a level scoreline in midweek.
However, this takes on a different meaning, perhaps even more, especially considering the preceding 45 minutes, which were largely frustrating. “I knew I was running out of time, so I just hit it with my toe and tried to get the ball on target and it went in really good, so I’m pretty happy with that,” Trossard said. “We want to get a response and get back on the field and show that we’re still there and can win games.”
Of course, all this means is that Arsenal are now back at the top of the table after recording their first win in four games. Rebound ability? Tick. On the surface at least, Mikel Arteta seems confident they will. On Friday, he interrupted a reporter during his pre-match press conference when they had the temerity to preface his remarks with “If you don’t win tomorrow.” Arteta responded optimistically: “I don’t think about that. I think about winning. Not if. Sorry. Naturally.”
At the end of a difficult and frustrating week that saw Arsenal crash out of the Champions League and lose at home to Aston Villa, Arteta told his players not to feel sorry for themselves as this was the perfect opportunity to get back on track. “It’s about showing we can turn this situation around,” the Arsenal boss said.
Martin Ødegaard’s message as he gathered his team before kick-off was presumably similar. Arsenal hardly came to the pitch glum or frowning and they got off to a great start. Havertz fired in with 39 seconds left, twice side-footed by the impressive Declan Rice. There’s little evidence that he had a 72-hour hangover, although it was far from an exciting or fearless show.
Wolves handed Manchester City their first league defeat of the season here in September, with Tottenham also struggling a few months later. But, IMHO, this is a different, under-strength Wolves team. Hwang Hee-chan only had 51 minutes of playing time, while Gary O’Neill was without several regular starters, including Pedro Neto, Matheus Cunha and Nelson Semedo, and his squad was so thin that As for 15-year-old Wesley Okoduwa, he is a substitute as he was at Newcastle last month. O’Neill said the teenager, one of five players on the Wolves bench, was happy to miss science lessons in favor of first-team training this week. To their credit, Wolves didn’t play like a team who had lost so many of their best players and pushed Arsenal all the way.
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In the penultimate minute of stoppage time, Odegaard sealed the victory by scoring from an acute angle after his attempt to cut inside was blocked by Totti Gomez. Although Wolves lacked an attacking threat, the goal was a relief for the team. At this stage of the season, we are not letting up. Arsenal host Chelsea on Tuesday with a chance to stay four points ahead of Manchester City. The win gives Arsenal a potentially short-lived advantage in the title race, with Liverpool set to face Fulham on Sunday and Manchester City against Brighton on Thursday. It may be too late by then, but at least this win means they still have one more fighting chance.
Whether it’s a bit of luck or a bit of ingenuity, Arsenal desperately need Trossard’s timely intervention. A few weeks later, they may look back on the incident feeling more satisfied. “He is a little magician who can contribute anything,” Arteta said. “He’s a big threat, he can play in different positions; he’s so calm, so calm. It’s great to have him in the team.
