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Former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas reckons Mikel Arteta should play Leandro Trossard in midfield against arch-rival Tottenham Hotspur. The two sides are set to face off in the North London Derby in the Premier League at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, September 15.
The Gunners have been dealt some big issues ahead of the big game. Declan Rice is suspended after getting sent off in their 1-1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion last time out. Mikel Merino is out injured and captain Martin Odegaard also suffered an injury on international duty with Norway and could miss out.
Hence, manager Mikel Arteta will have to change his midfield almost completely, with Thomas Partey and Jorginho the only other senior midfielders available. To replace Odegaard, Fabregas reckons Arteta should pick winger Leandro Trossard. He said (via TBR Football):
“I also would like to see Trossard in midfield. I know he likes to come from the wing but he has the capabilities and qualities to play that role of Odegaard. A little more offensive midfielder, No.8, No.10.”
“I think he’s got the qualities to do that. Probably Partey and Jorginho will be the other two midfielders if I am not mistaken. But overall, it’s great to see young players making it into the Premier League.”
Trossard has mostly played on the right wing for Arsenal since arriving from Brighton in January 2023. He's contributed 19 goals and 12 assists in 71 games for them, including one goal in three games this season so far.
Mikel Arteta signs new deal at Arsenal
Mikel Arteta has signed a new three-year deal with the Gunners, which will keep him at the club until 2027. His previous contract was set to expire next summer but he's now signed a new deal.
Arteta has seen great progress at Arsenal since being appointed manager in December 2019. He won the FA Cup that season and finished eighth in the Premier League. They finished eighth again the following year and won the 2020-21 Community Shield. The Gunners then finished fifth in the 2021-22 season.
In the last two years, though, Arteta has helped turn them into title challengers. They fell short of Manchester City by five points in the 2022-23 season despite leading the table for 248 days. They then won the Community Shield but again fell short last season by just two points.
Arteta will hope to lead Arsenal over the final hurdle this season. They have two wins and one draw from their first three league games and sit two points behind Manchester City and Liverpool.
