Trossard backed to regain Arsenal starting spot as Saka fires warning

31 October 2023 , 04:00

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Leandro Trossard has been hailed by ex-Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre (Image: Getty Images)

Arsenal are back in action when they travel to West Ham in the Carabao Cup last 16 on Wednesday.

Mikel Arteta's side eased to a 5-0 victory over Sheffield United last time out thanks to a hat-trick from Eddie Nketiah, while Fabio Viera and Takehiro Tomiyasu also found the net. It was a result that moved the Gunners to within two points of leaders Tottenham at the top of the Premier League.

Arsenal's attention will now switch to the cup as they make the short trip across London to West Ham in midweek. The Gunners have a decent record in this competition, despite not winning it for 20 years. They have reached at least the quarter-final in five of the last seven years and will be hoping to do the same this season, too.

Here is the latest news from the Emirates.

Trossard backed to return

Mikael Silvestre believes Leandro Trossard is pushing to regain his place in the Arsenal starting XI after Gabriel Martinelli was thrown back in for the last two Premier League matches.

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Trossard came off the bench against Chelsea and Sheffield United having started the 1-0 win over Manchester City before the international break. Ironically, Martinelli replaced him against City and ended up scoring the winning goal as his deflected strike flew into the back of the net.

Leandro Trossard in action for Arsenal against Sheffield United (Getty Images)

Silvestre told bettingexpert.com: "Trossard is absolutely pushing for a starting spot. You need players to shake the order, shake the hierarchy. He’s just doing that.

"I think that’s why he was brought in. Not to be the second player in that position but to really push and have an impact in games like this, when he starts or when he comes on. He's much older than Martinelli and he’s experienced, so in some situations he will have an edge on Gabriel Martinelli."

Saka's title admission

Bukayo Saka has warned the rest of the Premier League that Arsenal have "another level" to go following their win over Sheffield United on Saturday.

Arsenal and Tottenham are the only unbeaten teams remaining in the Premier League this season, although the Gunners are two points behind their bitter rivals in the table.

"To be honest, I think we have to understand that each year is different," Saka said. "Last season we played a certain way, but this year teams are prepared for that and we have to try to adapt and change that.

Bukayo Saka impressed once again against Sheffield United (David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

"Obviously that means one player might have less space when they had more space last season, so I think we just have to take into account the results that we’ve been getting. We are close to the top of the table in the Premier League, we are top of our Champions League group and we are still in all the other competitions.

"I think that is something we can be proud of, but I agree there is another level for us to go to. We are pushing, pushing and scoring five goals (against Sheffield United) shows we are getting closer to it."

Nketiah praised after hat-trick

Harry Redknapp has named Eddie Nketiah as his "star man" this week after the forward scored a hat-trick during Arsenal's thumping 5-0 victory over Sheffield United.

He told BetVictor: "My star man this week is Eddie Nketiah. There's been a lot of pressure on him this season, but he was superb at the weekend.

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"I know people will say it was Sheffield United at home, but he took his goals like a natural striker. The third one in particular, wow what a goal. With that number 14 on his back, it was like watching Thierry Henry. Well, almost!"

Kieran King