‘Owes it to himself’ - Arsenal star slammed after sub-par international performance

Arsenal star Leandro Trossard has been slammed for his appearance during Belgium’s narrow win over Azerbaijan.

Trossard has made a strong impression at Arsenal since arriving from Brighton during last season, but he could face his biggest test this season. The Belgian could well get less opportunity to shine in an ultra competitive Arsenal squad, and he is going to have to take his chances, be it starting or coming off the bench.

In the meantime, the versatile midfielder has been in action for Belgium, and he has come in for some scathing criticism on the back of his latest performance.

Belgium had to settle for a narrow win over Azerbaijan in their most recent qualifier, on Saturday, winning 1-0 thanks to Yannick Carrasco’s first-half strike. The win left the Red Devils goal difference ahead of Austria at the top of their group and four points ahead of Sweden.

Trossard started the clash with Azerbaijan, a game in which Belgium less than impressed, and he did not do well, according to former Belgian player Philippe Albert.

Albert told Sud Info via SportsWitness: “I saw that Tedesco covered the latter somewhat in the press conference, but the Arsenal player often did the complete opposite of what he should have done. That is to say, turn his opponent around instead of dropping back like he almost always did.

“There’s no point in coming to get the ball at Tielemans’ level. There are enough players on the halfway line to do the dirty work. If, after hitting the post at the very start of the game, Trossard slipped into relative anonymity, he owes it only to himself.”

Belgium do have a new manager in Domenico Tedesco, who took over from Roberto Martinez, and so Trossard may be adjusting to a new role at this stage, but such performances, if Albert is accurate, won’t be welcomed by Arteta.