Rio Ferdinand praises ‘ridiculous’ Arsenal star who has gone under the radar

Rio Ferdinand believes Arsenal fans need to show more appreciation for the form of Leandro Trossard following Sunday’s crushing north London derby win.

The Gunners maintained a six point lead at the top of the table following their most convincing performance of the campaign to date, romping to a 4-1 victory.

Eberechi Eze walked away with the man of the match following a sublime hat-trick – a first in this fixture since 1978 – but it was Trossard to set the tone with an energetic display capped by the opening goal and the assist which helped put the contest to bed.

Arsenal’s summer recruitment drive meant the Belgium international’s place was severely under threat from the likes of Noni Madueke and Eze, as well as Gabriel Martinelli.

Offers from Fenerbahce and the Saudi Premier League were on the table but the former Brighton star opted to remain and fight for his place, a decision that has been thoroughly vindicated over the opening months of the season.

‘The biggest thing we’ve got here is just the depth is on show,’ Ferdinand noted on his YouTube channel when discussing Arsenal’s current form.

‘Trossard has been ridiculous. He doesn’t get the love he deserves from Arsenal fans because his goal contributions since he signed, only Saka has got more.

‘Important goals he scores, whether it be an equaliser or a late winner he’s just input has been a joke. He needs massive, massive props.’

Given Arsenal’s injury crisis over the course of the last few months, Trossard’s continued presence has been invaluable to Mikel Arteta, not that he ever countenanced the potential departure of the versatile forward.

‘Yeah, for me, no, because for me it was forbidden for him to leave,’ said Arteta. ‘No chance. I know the player that he is, and surrounded with the players that we have, he’s a player that is going to make a difference for us.

‘I fully agree, it was one of the best games, so aggressive with and without the ball, so effective, he could have scored another one or two goals, and he was involved in so many positive actions.

‘So that’s what we need. As I said, I think individually, the players were excellent today.’

Despite being something of an unsung hero, Trossard has regularly proved the man for the big occasion over the course of his three years at the club and that sense of timing was exemplified by Sunday’s much needed goal.

 ‘I enjoyed that a lot!’ said Trossard after the game. 

‘I think it was important to get that goal. After that it gave us the edge to go on and score more goals, to create chances. 

‘I think we were dominant before, but obviously that gives you that extra bit of confidence to go and win the game. It was a perfect night for us.

‘It was a really good game overall in every aspect, from defence to attack. We’re really happy with all the goals we scored as well.’