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Premier League | Gameweek 26

Mar 4, 2023 at 3pm UK

Emirates Stadium

Arsenal
3 - 2
Bournemouth

Partey (62'), White (70'), Nelson (90+7')

FT(HT: 0-1)

Billing (1'), Senesi (57')
Neto (64'), Mepham (86')

Arsenal handed boost over Leandro Trossard injury?

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 06 March 2023

Arsenal are reportedly hopeful that attacker Leandro Trossard will be able to return from a groin injury before the international break.

Arsenal are reportedly confident that Leandro Trossard did not suffer a serious groin injury during Saturday's 3-2 win over Bournemouth in the Premier League.

With Eddie Nketiah absent due to an ankle issue, Trossard was given the nod to start up front alongside Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka at the Emirates Stadium.

However, everything that could have gone wrong did go wrong for Arsenal in the first half, as Bournemouth broke the deadlock after just nine seconds through Philip Billing.

With a quarter of the game gone, Trossard pulled up with a groin problem and had to be replaced by Emile Smith Rowe, who in turn was then taken off for Reiss Nelson in the second 45.

Nelson added to strikes from Thomas Partey and Ben White to seal a pulsating five-goal win for Arsenal, but Mikel Arteta admitted after the game that Trossard's injury was a concern.

Arsenal's Leandro Trossard reacts on January 22, 2023 © Reuters

"It is a worry. He came to me straight away and told me he could not continue because he'd felt something when he was tracking back after the corner. We have to assess him and see how he is." Arteta said in his post-game press conference.

However, the Evening Standard reports that Arsenal do not believe that Trossard has sustained anything serious, having received positive news from initial assessments.

The Belgian attacker will undergo further tests this week, but by not hesitating to take him off early, Arsenal are confident that they managed to avoid an even worse injury for Trossard.

Thursday's game with Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League is expected to come too soon for Trossard, but Arsenal are hopeful that he will be back in action before the international break.

The Gunners' final game before the international break sees them tackle Crystal Palace at home on March 19, prior to which they will travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham in another London derby on March 12.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates on March 4, 2023 © Reuters

Sporting will also visit the Emirates for the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on March 16, but Arteta could be working without three central attacking options for this Thursday's first leg.

Gabriel Jesus is not quite ready to return from knee surgery, and the report adds that Nketiah's ankle problem will keep him sidelined for Thursday's game and potentially Sunday's trip to Fulham as well.

As a result, Smith Rowe - who has made just nine appearances in an injury-hit season - can expect to be recalled to the first XI against Sporting, in what will be his first senior start of the season in any competition.

Trossard has immediately hit the ground running at Arsenal since joining from Brighton & Hove Albion in January, scoring once and providing two assists in his first nine games for the club.

Arsenal's victory over Bournemouth kept them five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table, but the FA are now believed to be looking into their wild celebrations after Nelson's late winner.