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Mikel Arteta explained why Leandro Trossard was dropped for Bukayo Saka for Arsenal’s game against Liverpool.
Arsenal travel to Anfield hoping to claim their first win at the ground in 11 years.
Should they do so they would consolidate their place at the Premier League summit, and take the biggest step yet to claiming their first league title since 2004.
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And the Gunners, who before kick-off were five points clear of nearest challengers Manchester City at the top of the Premier League, have made one change from last week’s 4-1 win over Leeds United.
Arsenal’s star man Saka, who last week was restricted to a place on the bench due to illness, has replaced Trossard in the starting XI.
Arteta explains Trossard decision
Before kick-off, Arteta had a difficult decision of choosing who of Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Saka and Trossard, should be dropped for the Liverpool game.
While Saka’s place in the side was all but guaranteed, Trossard will feel aggrieved to have lost his place, having won the club’s Player of the Month award for March.
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Trossard has made 13 top-flight appearances for the Gunners since joining, though just seven of those have been starts. Yet in that time he has scored once and set up some seven goals for Mikel Arteta’s pacesetters.
When asked by Sky Sports whether Trossard was “unlucky” to have been dropped for Saka, Arteta said: “Maybe. He’s been really good.
“But it’s as well [about] what we need in the game and what we are looking for today in the game.
“And it’s a long game for sure and we’re going to have opportunities to change personnel.”
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The Arsenal boss added: “We’re going to have to be at our best, be extremely competitive, be very good in both boxes and be ruthless in everything we do because we know the pace, dynamism and competitiveness that is required when you play here.”
Featured Image Credit: Alamy/Sky SportsTopics: Football, Liverpool, Bukayo Saka, Arsenal, Premier League