Chelsea icon Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink publicly acknowledged that Arsenal forward Leandro Trossard has completely transformed his perspective on the player’s capabilities. While the former striker initially harbored doubts regarding Trossard’s suitability for a leading role in Mikel Arteta’s squad, the Belgian international has consistently silenced his critics.
Since his 2023 arrival from Brighton & Hove Albion, the 31-year-old has amassed nearly 150 appearances for the North London club, contributing an impressive 35 goals and 29 assists.
Trossard’s current campaign further cements his status as an indispensable asset for the Gunners, as he has already registered seven goals and six assists in 25 matches. Despite failing to find the net during Arsenal’s recent 3-2 victory over Chelsea in the EFL Cup semi-final first leg, his overall performance drew significant acclaim. Trossard commanded the pitch for 75 minutes at Stamford Bridge before making way for Gabriel Martinelli, demonstrating the tactical trust Arteta places in him over other high-profile options.
Hasselbaink highlighted the playmaker’s resilience and knack for delivering in high-stakes moments during a recent Sky Sports broadcast. He noted that Trossard’s physical strength and consistent form have defied his earlier predictions about the player’s ceiling at a top-tier club. This ongoing excellence has allowed Trossard to maintain a starting position ahead of younger stars, proving his value in Arsenal’s pursuit of silverware.
Hasselbaink stated: “With all due respect to Leandro Trossard, I’m surprised. At the beginning of the season, I thought they needed someone better in that role, but he’s done an amazing job. He’s filled that spot really, really well. He’s scored really big goals when it really mattered. He’s surprising me, and the only thing you can say is well done to him. I didn’t think he had the strength for it, but he’s keeping it up every week without missing a beat. He’s playing in front of Gabriel Martinelli as well, and I didn’t expect that to happen.”
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