Arteta responds to claim Arsenal have the next Santi Cazorla in their ranks

29 November 2023 , 11:57

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Arteta responds to claim Arsenal have the next Santi Cazorla in their ranks

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has joked he needs to see Leandro Trossard take corners with his left foot before comparing him to Gunners hero Santi Cazorla.

Trossard has been a shining light for the north Londoners since arriving from Brighton in January of this year and has since earned comparisons with an Emirates fan favourite in Cazorla. There are undeniable similarities in their respective games, with both boasting a low centre of gravity mixed with dazzling dribbling skill.

This season has also seen Trossard pop up with more goals. Currently, the Belgium international has five goals across all competitions, three coming domestically with two in the Champions League.

Within those five, Trossard has netted at least one with his right foot, one with his left and another with his head. The fact he is so comfortable with the ball at both feet meant Arteta was asked who boasts the superior quality in terms of two-footedness between the Arsenal ace and ex-Gunner Cazorla.

"I have to see Leo take a corner with his left foot," the Spaniard joked. "When he does that then maybe! He’s so good but Santi was something special."

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Arteta made sure to wax lyrical about Trossard as well, issuing a glowing response when pressed for comment on where the Belgian ranks among his best signings. The Gunners landed his signature for an initial £20million, which is expected to eventually rise to £27m.

HAVE YOUR SAY!Can Trossard surpass Cazorla's Arsenal legacy? Comment below

Leandro Trossard has been a successful signing for Arsenal so far after arriving in January (Getty Images)

"I'm not a financial advisor or the economist of the club but he is a tremendous player who has great talent and great intelligence to play the way we want to play. He is a really good fit for us.

"That was one of the main reasons why we signed him. First of all, he has experience in the league and did what he had done in the league already. In January we had a lot of issues in the front line and he could cover those necessities in a really efficient way. He has proven he can do that."

Trossard's versatility across the front line means he has been able to deputise for Gabriel Martinelli on the left wing, as well as leading the line in the absence of Gabriel Jesus There's every chance he'll be called upon for Arsenal's next outing at home to Lens in the Champions League.

A win for the Gunners on Wednesday night would see Arteta's men progress into the knockout rounds of European club football's most prestigious competition. Should PSV Eindhoven fail to beat Sevilla and Arsenal avoid defeat, they will go into the pot as winners of Group B.

Josh O'Brien