Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta told to drop "brilliant" Leandro Trossard for Liverpool clash

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta should drop Leandro Trossard to the bench for the Gunners' clash against Liverpool this weekend, according to a respected journalist.

Arsenal take on the Reds on Sunday at Anfield, a ground they have not won at over 90 minutes since March 2012.

But this season, the Gunners currently lead the Premier League table by eight points heading into the weekend's fixtures. Liverpool, meanwhile, languish in eighth place - 10 points off the top four places.

A significant of the reason behind Arsenal's ascent to title challengers this season has been their goalscoring, with only Manchester City (71) scoring more than the 70 goals the Gunners have netted this term.

And those strikes have been spread out as well, with Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard all having already reached the 10-goal mark.

Trossard, meanwhile, has eight goals for the season, although only one of those has been scored since his arrival at the Emirates Stadium from Brighton in January.

But he has played a key role in the team, and provided a hat-trick of assists in the Gunners' 4-0 win over Fulham last month.

However, one journalist believes that, despite the Belgian being 'brilliant' for Arteta's side, he shouldn't start against Liverpool.

Journalist gives Trossard Arsenal verdict

Writing for The Telegraph, journalist Sam Dean wrote: "With his close control in small spaces, his awareness in attack and his execution in the final third, [Trossard] has been arguably the finest signing of the January transfer window. The initial transfer fee, of £21 million, can already be described as a bargain.

"And yet, despite all of this, Trossard surely must start on the bench this weekend, when Arsenal face Liverpool at Anfield in one of the most important games of their campaign.

"A harsh assessment? It is no slight on Trossard's performances, but instead a reality of Arsenal's development as a club and their current situation under Arteta.

"To put it in its simplest terms, four into three will not go. There are three players in Arsenal's frontline, and four players with strong claims to fill them: Trossard, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus.

"Assuming all four arrive in Liverpool at full fitness, one must therefore drop to the bench."