- 1,612
- 9
- 38
The response has been emphatic. Arsenal conceded two goals against Aston Villa and had to wait until stoppage time to clinch their victory, but a deeper look at the numbers shows the dominance they enjoyed over their opponents.
Arteta's side gave up only 0.51 expected goals against at Villa Park. At the other end, their chances were worth 3.28 expected goals, their highest total in a single game all season.
Their attacking numbers were not so impressive against Leicester, but Gabriel Martinelli seized his chance when it came and defensively they were again far more assured, their efficiency in protecting their box evident in the fact Leicester could only muster a solitary shot - and that was a speculative effort from distance.
The 23-year-old had played every minute in 11 consecutive games in all competitions before that, but having scored seven goals in seven appearances initially, he had not found the net in five.
A change was required and, happily for Arsenal, a new option had emerged in January signing Trossard, whose impressive early performances convinced Arteta to use him as a false nine.
It was of course Martinelli who scored the decisive goal at the King Power Stadium, but the Brazilian's role in the victory owed a lot to the presence of Trossard, rather than Nketiah, at No 9.
While Nketiah is an out-and-out striker who rarely strays beyond the width of the opposition box, Trossard is far more inclined to drift towards the flanks and, specifically, to the left.
Arteta's side gave up only 0.51 expected goals against at Villa Park. At the other end, their chances were worth 3.28 expected goals, their highest total in a single game all season.
Their attacking numbers were not so impressive against Leicester, but Gabriel Martinelli seized his chance when it came and defensively they were again far more assured, their efficiency in protecting their box evident in the fact Leicester could only muster a solitary shot - and that was a speculative effort from distance.
Trossard, Jorginho show their worth
The game against Leicester featured a significant change in personnel at the top of the pitch, with Eddie Nketiah dropping to the bench for the first time since Gabriel Jesus' injury.The 23-year-old had played every minute in 11 consecutive games in all competitions before that, but having scored seven goals in seven appearances initially, he had not found the net in five.
A change was required and, happily for Arsenal, a new option had emerged in January signing Trossard, whose impressive early performances convinced Arteta to use him as a false nine.
It was of course Martinelli who scored the decisive goal at the King Power Stadium, but the Brazilian's role in the victory owed a lot to the presence of Trossard, rather than Nketiah, at No 9.
While Nketiah is an out-and-out striker who rarely strays beyond the width of the opposition box, Trossard is far more inclined to drift towards the flanks and, specifically, to the left.