“That’s how I’ve always done since my days at Brighton and I’m used to it”- Leandro Trossard hits back at Mikel Arteta in press conference.
Arsenal forward Leandro Trossard has responded to manager Mikel Arteta’s lighthearted remarks about his personality, insisting that his competitive nature stems from his desire to win, not from being a “moaner.”
Arteta, speaking last month, had described Trossard as the “biggest moaner” in the dressing room, but framed it as a positive trait. The Arsenal boss praised the Belgian’s fiery determination, particularly during training.
“Leo is naturally a bit of a moaner, but I like that because he’s very competitive,” Arteta said. “In training sessions, he’s always busy with the referee’s decision because he wants to win. That’s what I love. He always wants to be the best, and when he’s not there, he’s not happy. But that’s what pushes him.”
Ahead of Arsenal’s New Year’s Day clash against Brentford, Trossard addressed the comments, embracing Arteta’s assessment while clarifying his intentions.
“I’m just a winner,” Trossard said. “If a decision goes against me and I think it’s unfair, I take it personally—whether in training or in games. I want to win every game, and I think that should be the mindset of every football player.”
The 30-year-old forward, who is set to make his 100th appearance for Arsenal in their UEFA Champions League tie against Dinamo Zagreb, admitted his body language might sometimes be misinterpreted.
“You always want to play and start games; that’s only natural,” he explained. “Maybe my body language reflects that frustration, but I’m always ready. I think I’ve shown that even when coming off the bench, I can make an impact. Whether I start or not, my goal is to help the team win.”
Trossard joined Arsenal from Brighton in January 2023 and has been a key figure in Arteta’s squad. With 18 months remaining on his contract and an option for an additional year, the Belgian expressed his happiness at the club and his desire to achieve more.
“I’m just focused on my football,” Trossard said. “You never know how things will turn out, but I’m really happy here. I still want to win things with this team. We have a great squad and a great manager who pushes us every day to achieve great things.”
