SUPERSUB TROSSARD CATALYST FOR MIKEL

Leandro introduction sparks title-chasers

- Neil Moxley

A VILLA .......0

ARSENAL ....2
Trossard 67, Partey 77

LEANDRO TROSSARD thought he was making a point by refusing to celebrate the goal that cracked the code at Villa Park.

The little Belgian was probably miffed at failing to feature in Mikel Arteta’s starting XI.

And he thought that by standing there coolly after his 67th-minute opener, he was making a case for his inclusion. He didn’t need to do that. His strike had done that for him.

Trossard’s intervention helped settle what turned out to be a spiky, testy fixture from start to finish.

So when he popped up with his sidefoot, just two minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute, it sparked raucous celebrations.

He was at it again 12 minutes later as he set up the victory which was sealed by Thomas Partey’s sidefoot from the edge of the area.

But that was only half the story as it took an incredible save from Gunners keeper David Raya to prevent Arteta’s men from being set on their heels against Unai Emery’s rapidly-emerging Villa side.