Leandro Trossard was the architect of Arsenal’s impressive win over Fulham on Sunday afternoon – and he made Premier League history in the process.
The Gunners won 3-0 at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon thanks to goals from Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard. Victory reestablished Arsenal ’s five-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.
It also helped Trossard further underline his status as a very useful signing in the January transfer window. Arsenal paid Brighton £27million for the Belgian’s services after failing to land first-choice target Mykhaylo Mudryk, who joined Chelsea.
Trossard curled in the corner which Gabriel headed in to make it 1-0 before his run and cross allowed Martinelli to head in from close range for 2-0. And it was his low cross, once again, which found Odegaard, who kept his composure to smash in the Gunners’ third.
Those goals had them 3-0 up at half-time and saw Trossard become the first player in Premier League history to record a hat-trick of assists in the first half of an away game.
Asked about the achievement post-match, Trossard told Sky Sports: “I’m really happy with it as well. I always try to contribute with goals and assists, help the team going forward and today it went my way. I’m just really happy that we won and we can go forward from this.”
He is the second player this season to pick up three assists in a single game, following in the footsteps of Roberto Firmino. The Liverpool striker achieved the same feat, albeit at home, in Liverpool’s 9-0 win over Bournemouth back in August.
Trossard is also in good company in Arsenal’s history books, with club legend Cesc Fabregas the last player to pick up a hat-trick of assists in a 6-2 win over Blackburn in October 2009.
Arsenal captain Odegaard was full of praise for Trossard. “I think he’s brought some amazing things to the team, I love to play with him,” he told Sky Sports. “He’s always there to link up, he always looks for the combinations and when he’s in the box he’s good to find the right pass like he did today and like he’s done in the other games. Really happy to have him on the team.”
Trossard now has five assists for Arsenal in the Premier League this season, in just nine games. His impact is shown by a comparison with Tottenham ’s two star players, Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, who have five assists combined.
Mikel Arteta has been delighted to have Trossard at his disposal, with the 28-year-old forward giving depth to his squad. Gabriel Jesus returned to the team following a long spell out injured on Sunday, but his absence – and a subsequent one to Eddie Nketiah – had reduced Arsenal’s options up front.
Trossard prefers to play off the left of attack, but is capable of playing centrally as a false No9, while he has a good eye for goal. The Belgium international scored seven goals in 16 Premier League appearances for Brighton this season before leaving for north London.
