29 November 2023 , 02:00
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Leandro Trossard has hailed Arsenal set-piece coach Nicolas Jover, the coach who has already incurred the wrath of Manchester City's richly assembled squad.
Jover spent two years at the Etihad, before Mikel Arteta made him the Gunners' set-piece coach at the start of the 2021/22 season. And under his guidance, Arsenal have become one of the most effective teams from dead balls in the Premier League.
It's an element of their game which has helped Arteta's side to the top of the table - ahead of City - and Trossard has opened up on his impact on the London Colney training pitches. "It's a pleasure to work with him," he said ahead of the Champions League clash with Lens. "He's really clever on set pieces.
"It's such a great aspect in the game where you can open up a game. It helped us already a lot. We need to keep improving but we train on it as much as possible. When you play every three days there’s not much time to work on it but we will always squeeze it in but it’s in the general game plan."
And Jover's impact isn't just being felt at set pieces either. He was also in the middle of an infamous bust-up with City duo Kyle Walker and Erling Haaland earlier this season.
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The incident occurred following the Gunners' 1-0 victory over Pep Guardiola's men when tempers flared. Haaland and Walker were both seen walking off the pitch when they came across former City coach Jover, who was stood towards the halfway line.
As Walker left the field, Jover approached the England right-back and offered a handshake. However, Walker appeared to reject the Arsenal coach and flung his arms in the air instead. Jover seemed to fire a few words back, with Walker then acting angrily and squaring up to him.
Walker and Jover were separated, before Haaland got himself involved. The Norway international, however, was held back and led down the tunnel as Bukayo Saka acted as peacemaker.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and set-piece coach Nicolas Jover (Getty Images)Trossard started on the left-hand side of Arsenal's attack that afternoon, but has since moved into a berth in Arteta's midfield. He started on the left of a three at Brentford last time out and is continuing to adapt to the new role handed to him.
The Belgian had a goal disallowed but impressed for the Gunners as they ran out narrow 1-0 winners thanks to Kai Havertz's late strike. When quizzed about if he can be the starting player in that new role, Trossard replied: "I think so. Like I said it’s a position I can handle.
"I play there in the Belgian national team as well. I need to be switched on. But it’s based on game plan. Not every team plays the same."
Trossard's record as a substitute since joining Arsenal from Brighton in January is also impressive. He scored from the bench in the comeback 2-2 draw against Chelsea last month, as well as netting in stoppage time in the Community Shield at the start of the campaign. "I always try to be ready," Trossard said.
Leandro Trossard had a goal ruled out during the win at Brentford"Even when I’m on the bench and play only 15, 30 or even five minutes, I try to have an impact and that’s my mindset going into every game. I think you need that as a sub, you have to be ready.
"When you only play for 15 minutes the opposition are already a bit more tired so you need to take advantage of it and that’s what I try to do when I’m a sub."