Leandro Trossard Arsenal injury worry could be blessing in disguise for Mikel Arteta

Leandro Trossard is the latest Arsenal star to hand Mikel Arteta a significant injury worry. The Gunners have been plagued by key absences this season with doubt currently surrounding Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Ben White and now Trossard.

Before the November international break, Saka and Rice left the Premier League clash against Chelsea with injuries. Rice was already a major doubt heading into the London derby and later pulled out of England duty having lasted just 67 minutes at Stamford Bridge.

Saka was subbed off just over 15 minutes later and has also been recovering at London Colney over the two-week domestic pause. The duo joined Ben White at Arsenal's training ground after departing St George's Park with football.london then reporting the full-back had undergone a minor procedure.

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All three are now seemingly doubts to feature against Nottingham Forest at Emirates Stadium this Saturday and now Trossard is firmly in that category. During Belgium's shock Nations League defeat to Israel on Sunday evening, the 29-year-old was withdrawn because of injury after just 37 minutes.

“I believe we had 21 injured players in the previous qualifying stage, and today we lost Leo Trossard and Zeno Debast to injuries,” Belgium boss Domenico Tedesco said after the game as quoted by UEFA. With the Gunners' next game in just five days, Trossard will seemingly be facing a race against time to be fit.

However, if he is ultimately unavailable and absent for the next few weeks, it could oddly be a blessing in disguise for Arteta. More recently, Trossard has been deployed in midfield but with the return of Martin Odegaard and emergence of Ethan Nwaneri, Arteta has the options to replace him.

Since his sending off against Manchester City, Trossard has started seven out of a possible 10 games but has struggled to make a lasting impact. Criticism has been aimed in his direction as a result and because of that, a break from the spotlight could do him the world of good.

Given the injury issues Arteta has faced, he would certainly prefer Trossard to be available but it could benefit Arsenal in the long-term. If it is a minor issue, Trossard missing the next few weeks but being back in the squad for the busy Christmas period could be the perfect scenario.