'The season of the Trossard renaissance'

As the dust settles on Arsenal's magnificent 4-1 win over rivals Tottenham on Sunday, fans have been debating which players truly rose to the occasion.

Arsenal have been blessed with a number of 'big-game players' in recent seasons, but perhaps none more underrated than Leandro Trossard. In the north London derby aftermath, Eberechi Eze will capture the headlines for his performance against the club to which he nearly signed, but this has been the season of the Trossard renaissance.

Over the summer, fans debated whether Trossard, who signed in January 2023, was coming to the end of his time at the club. Rumours swirled as to whether a transfer to Saudi Arabia would be on the cards for the Belgian as a way of freeing up vital funds to bring in upgrades to the left wing.

Fast forward to November and Trossard has just put in one of the performances of his career, scoring the opening goal for the Gunners and tormenting the Spurs backline before he was substituted on 78 minutes. Throughout the game, he looked like a man possessed, with deft touches taking the ball into the space left behind the Spurs defence, and providing the assist that gave Eze his hat-trick on a plate.

The left-winger has now scored 19 goals against the traditional 'big six', including four against Tottenham. He has often frustrated fans by going missing in games where Arsenal are facing a low block and struggling to find space, but there is no denying Trossard is an essential asset against Arsenal's title rivals.

With Gabriel Martinelli still on his way back from injury and Noni Madueke having just returned, it is likely Trossard will feature again on Sunday as Arsenal face second-place Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Another big game awaits for one of Arsenal's most ruthless big-game players.

Choose whether Trossard should start in a full-strength Gunners side here

Find more from Laura Kirk-Francis at the Latte Firm podcast