Fans make same joke after cameras capture Leandro Trossard speaking to referee at half-time

A half-time chat between referee Clement Turpin and Leandro Trossard during Arsenal's Champions League last-16 clash against FC Porto has gone viral.

Trossard opened the scoring for the Gunners in Tuesday night's Champions League tie, with the 41st minute goal drawing them level on aggregate.

It was a superb Thierry Henry-esque strike from the Belgian, who has scored 11 goals in all competitions for Mikel Arteta's side this season.

But rather than the well-taken finish from close range, fans on social media were talking about Trossard's chat with referee and doppelganger, Clement Turpin.

Please tell me you guys can see it. Leandro Trossard and this referee look identical. 😂 https://t.co/BTvDHsfLur pic.twitter.com/YsqihMmeBb

— Egal (@EGTVEgal) March 12, 2024

As you can see from the picture above, the 29-year-old's resemblance to the French official is uncanny – and fans on social media noticed it almost straight away.

One joked: "How did Arteta managed to get Trossard’s long lost brother to referee the game?" while another commented: "The referee was playing left wing until we scored and Trossard was officiating. You cannot prove me wrong."

A third wrote: "Gonna be a busy night for Trossard what with having to play on the left wing AND referee the game."

A fourth said: "Tonight's referee, Clement Turpin, and Leandro Trossard have got us seeing some form of double," while a fifth added: "They look exactly the same."

Mum said it’s my turn with the Xbox pic.twitter.com/vn2cx8Y06N

— Paddy (@PaddyArsenal) March 12, 2024

Turpin is, of course, no relation to Trossard and has been a FIFA-listed referee since 2010.

Trossard, meanwhile, has been lauded by many this season, including NBC Sports pundit Robbie Mustoe, who was full of praise for the Belgium international's contribution of late.

“I just love it when Trossard plays up front, false nine. And I think he’s better than what people think in general," he said.

"And maybe, just maybe a little under-appreciated by Mikel Arteta, in terms of how he stacks up against your Havertz and your big money guys like [Gabriel] Jesus."