#9 - How Trossard is igniting Arsenal and Martinelli
A deep dive on Trossard's introduction to the Arsenal XI, a power rankings update and new podcast!
Two wins, two clean sheets since issue #8. Arsenal are well and truly back on track after that wobble and they have fixtures coming up that present an opportunity to continue the charge. I think we need to win 28 games to win this title. That's 9 more from the remaining 13 games.
Lately Arteta has been willing to tweak his team in order to overcome new challenges, and in this issue I explore how Trossard’s introduction has helped Martinelli rediscover his best form and Arsenal’s attack click again, whilst also providing a power rankings update and link to our latest podcast. Enjoy, comment, share and subscribe!
Talking Tactics: Trossard introduction gives Arsenal attacking unpredictability and reignites Martinelli
Martinelli was one of the best players in the Premier League before the World Cup break, but since then, the Brazilian had struggled to replicate that stunning form. He cut a isolated and frustrated figure without Gabriel Jesus combining with him. Whilst Eddie Nketiah was finding the back of the net at a good rate, Arsenal’s attacking balance couldn’t be struck in several games and Martinelli was this biggest victim of this.
After Nketiah’s goals dried up and Arsenal’s attacking structures started to look unbalanced, Arteta finally decided that instead of rotating Martinelli and Trossard, it was worth playing them both and giving Arsenal more unpredictability. We’ve now seen it against Leicester City and Everton from the start and in both games Arsenal managed to control the final third and score five goals, with three of those coming from Gabriel Martinelli.
Martinelli has always performed better when the central striker is more of a combination player rather than an outlet, penalty box striker. That’s why Martinelli and Aubameyang never really worked. It seems to be the same with Nketiah.
Martinelli is a final third player, with quick feet, pace and instinctive finishing, you want him in that box, his three most recent goals highlight that.
Trossard is also comfortable on the left flank, allowing Martinelli to drift into central zones at times, as they switch positions throughout the game. For Arsenal’s first against Everton, Trossard is stretching the defence, occupying the left flank and allowing Martinelli to be predatory centrally.
Trossard has great close control, technical link-up ability and the quality to play centrally and wide with consistent performance. You can trust him on the ball. This ball security from Trossard allows for the Belgian to drift into the build-up position and Martinelli to move into finishing positions without fear of the ball turning over. When you compare Wednesday’s performance to the one at Goodison Park, Arsenal’s ability to retain the ball in the final third and sustain pressure is parallel in the two performances.
In the below example, Trossard has taken up a central position and is showing for the ball to feet, this creates space for Martinelli to look to get in-behind, and gives Granit Xhaka two different options.
This interchangeability between attacking players has been key to presenting new problems for oppositions to solve. For Arsenal’s third, it is Martinelli back again in the middle, receiving the ball before finding Xhaka
Xhaka then finds Trossard, now wide left, who runs to byline before cutting back for Odegaard to score the crucial third.
This makes it impossible for teams to man mark Arsenal’s attackers and know where the next move will come from.
All of this doesn’t mean Nketiah is finished. Far from it. Eddie actually came off the bench and picked up an assist for Martinelli at the end, and there are game states where having both as outlets can work, like when we are ahead in games like Everton, or in end-to-end games like vs. Manchester United.
But Arsenal are increasingly being faced with the challenge of breaking down low blocks and without Gabriel Jesus, the team were struggling to make the attack function (just one goal vs. Brentford and Everton and that came from Trossard off the bench).
Trossard has already proven a very shrewd signing as he not only adds goals and assists himself, but his qualities are clearly benefitting others around him, in particular, Martinelli.
Power Rankings update
Risers: Gabriel Martinelli was taken out of the starting eleven a few weeks ago and that appears to have re-motivated the Brazilian forward. He now has four goals in his last three games, making him the fourth highest non-penalty goalscorer in the league. He’s rocketed up to 2nd place.
The other big mover is Aaron Ramsdale, up to a 2023 high of 6th place. Arsenal have now managed back to back clean sheets and whilst Aaron was barely tested at Leicester, he made a big save at the end of the game against Everton. Obviously you don’t want your keeper to be your best player every week, but I do think it is good for every player in the team to have their moments.
Fallers: Martin Odegaard has still been fantastic for the most part, but the brilliance of Martinelli and Zinchenko lately has seen him drop out of the top two for the first time in 2023.
Ramsdale’s metoric rise has seen many in the top 10 drop one place, notably Granit Xhaka who continues to slide in influence.
Out of the top eleven is Eddie Nketiah. Stunning form in January saw him peak at 3rd, only to now be out of the starting eleven two games in a row and back into 13th place. His contributions have still been vital, but he will be frustrated to be out of the team, especially with Gabriel Jesus now nearing a return.
Podcast
Oli (PB) and Pet are back to discuss back-to-back Premier League wins over Leicester City and most recently Everton. We talk about Leandro Trossard's introduction into the starting eleven, Bukayo Saka's brilliance, Gabriel Martinelli's resurgence and much more. Listen below or find us on most podcast providers.