'He wasn't happy': Sam Allardyce says Mikel Arteta will start £27m player vs Spurs to stop him sulking

09/12/2024 12:15 PM

Arsenal face Tottenham in the north London derby this weekend, and pundits have been having a tough time predicting how the Gunners will line-up for this one.

Indeed, amid an injury crisis in the midfield and the suspension of Declan Rice, it's been tough for anyone to call how Arsenal's XI will look on Sunday.

However, speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football Podcast, Sam Allardyce has made a prediction about one position.

Allardyce reckons that Leandro Trossard will get the nod down the left wing, claiming that the Belgian will start for Arsenal on Sunday just so that he stops sulking after making a point after his goal against Aston Villa.

Leandro Trossard will start vs Tottenham

Allardyce shared his verdict on the £27m man and his place in this Arsenal team.

"The rest of the Arsenal team is fixed, but I think he will go for Trossard to stop him sulking. He had a big sulk on didn't he when he came on and scored, but you could see in his face that he wasn't very happy. I think Trossard will start there," Allardyce said.

Trossard deserves to start

Whether or not Trossard has been sulking or making a point to his manager, the reality is that he deserves to start this game against Tottenham.

The Belgian has been in brilliant form for a long time now, and he'd be so useful in this game.

Indeed, Trossard is a very versatile player, and when you have an injury and suspension crisis, you need someone like this on the pitch.

Trossard can quickly interchange with numerous players if needed on Sunday, and that could be vital as Mikel Arteta tries to figure out how to configure his midfield and attack in the absence of both Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.

Trossard could be absolutely vital for Arsenal this weekend.