Arsenal have a 5ft 8in secret weapon in set-pieces that nobody is talking about right now
The Gunners are a complete football team. They are good on the ball, can score a goal after 25 passes or bang one in from 30 yards. But, the edge they have over most other teams is their ability in corners and free-kicks.
Nicolas Jover has transformed Arsenal in that department, and every club in the country is worried when they face the Gunners and concede a set-piece.
Arsenal have several big men capable of getting on the end of corners and free-kicks, but one relatively short player may have become their secret weapon.
Why Leandro Trossard could be Arsenal’s secret weapon in set-pieces
Leandro Trossard is probably the last person you would think about when you’re talking about Arsenal’s set-piece brilliance.
The Gunners have giants Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz and now Mikel Merino all capable of causing trouble inside the box.
All of the above players are six-foot plenty, while Trossard stands just 5ft 8in tall.
The Belgium international is definitely not someone who you would expect to jump over everyone and head the ball in. But, he has other qualities, and Jover and Mikel Arteta may have recognised them.
Earlier in the season, during Gabriel’s goals against Tottenham and Manchester City, Trossard was placed at the edge of the penalty area. That was not surprising.
However, in the game against Leicester, Jover decided to deploy Trossard at the back post.
It didn’t work the first time, but the Belgian then repeated the same trick and played a big part in Arsenal’s late winner.
Then, in the Nations League game between Belgium and Italy, the Arsenal number 19 was inside the box for their corner.
Trossard explains why he can be good in set-pieces
Arsenal signed Trossard for just £20 million, and he has proved to be a magnificent bargain.
The Belgian has come up with the goods for the Gunners on so many occasions already, and we think he can now make Arsenal more dangerous in set-pieces.
Following his goal against Italy, Trossard revealed that he can ‘smell’ where the ball lands in the box during corners, and that anticipation helps him score.
He told Nieuwsblad: “Everyone must be active in the box. You should smell where the ball falls. I anticipate well. I’m glad it went in.”
Trossard is Arsenal’s best finisher, and if he can get on the end of a ball inside the box, he will find the back of the net more often than not.
