Super sub Leandro Trossard proves his worth to help Arsenal to gritty win at Aston Villa

BIRMINGHAM – If Arsenal are going to end their 20-year wait for an English Premier League title, they are going to need contributions from every squad member, and Leandro Trossard again proved his worth off the bench in their 2-0 win at Aston Villa.

Arsenal travelled to the Midlands on Aug 24 to face a Villa side who beat them twice in the league last season – defeats that ultimately cost them the title – and had to withstand plenty of pressure from the impressive hosts.

At a crucial juncture in the match, however, Belgian forward Trossard took his chance, sweeping home with his first touch after coming as a substitute to set Arsenal on their way to a 2-0 victory.

Six of Trossard’s 14 league goals for the Gunners have been as a substitute, the highest share of any player to score 10 or more goals for them in the competition.

With Manchester City starting with two wins from two in pursuit of a fifth successive Premier League crown, impact players off the bench like Trossard will be vital for Arsenal.

“First of all when you don’t get picked, there are certain ways to react. Leo (Trossard) is upset, but he’s upset he could not show on the pitch how good he is, not upset because he wasn’t playing,” manager Mikel Arteta said.

“That’s a huge quality. When you put him in the starting XI, he does exactly the same thing. That’s a big message and a big example for the rest of the team and myself... When we had to rely on certain individuals we did, and that’s not a bad thing.” 

As well as getting the better of Arsenal twice last term, accounting for 40 per cent of the Gunners’ five Premier League defeats in the entire season, Villa also came into the game as the only side to beat Arteta’s team in the league in 2024.

On the road, Arsenal have been especially unrelenting this year, winning eight of their nine Premier League away games ahead of the trip to the Midlands, scoring 28 goals, conceding three and keeping seven clean sheets.

The visitors again made a blistering start at Villa Park, dominating the opening exchanges, with Bukayo Saka denied by a superb early save from Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. However, the home side regained the edge, culminating in striker Ollie Watkins missing two gilt-edged openings.

The Gunners weathered the storm, taking the lead in the 67th minute through Trossard, before midfielder Thomas Partey made sure of the three points 10 minutes later.

Villa supporters headed for the exits, ruing their missed opportunities, as Arsenal’s travelling fans celebrated two wins from two to keep them on track for another serious title challenge. They have won their first two games in a top-flight campaign without conceding for the first time since 1971-72.

“I am very happy,” Arteta said.

“First of all, a really tough place to come, great atmosphere, a really good team, really well coached with great collective organisation and huge individual threat. But we found a way to win, especially because the team played with a lot of personality and understood the game better and better.

“Against any formation, any opponent, we are finding a threat from many areas, and that’s a big compliment for the team.”

Villa manager Unai Emery conceded that his side probably did not deserve a point, but was pleased with his side’s display.

“You have to accept Arsenal – they are more experienced, more mature,” the former Arsenal boss told Sky Sports.

“They are strong, the last two years they have been very competitive in the Premier League, contenders in top four and even to win the Premier League. Today was a test for us to understand who we are.

“I am happy and if we were scoring goals then maybe we would be winning. With Arsenal, we feel we are close to getting a performance. The players will stay calm.” REUTERS