Leandro Trossard hits back at Arsenal criticism with Mikel Arteta claim

Leandro Trossard has dismissed suggestions that Arsenal have switched to more defensive tactics this season.

The Gunners are enduring a difficult run of form both domestically and in Europe. Arsenal have lost their last two matches against Inter Milan in the Champions League and Newcastle in the Premier League.

Arsenal go into Sunday's clash against Chelsea in the top flight in sixth place in the league standings and 10 points adrift of leaders Liverpool after their win over Aston Villa 24 hours earlier.

Mikel Arteta's side have been the subject of some criticism this season for an apparent use of more defensive-minded tactics, rather than the free-flowing attacking football which has become synonymous with Arsenal over the last two seasons.

Trossard has remained one of the star players in Arteta's squad this season, but has scored just twice across his 14 appearances for the Gunners and will hope that will change during Sunday's clash against Chelsea in the Premier League.

The Belgium international has rejected the idea that Arsenal are using more defensive tactics this term, and believes the team's fortunes will change for the better in the near future.

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"No, we don't have that mindset [defensive tactics] going into games, but every game has a different outcome," Trossard told The Sunday Mirror.

"If you go down to ten men, or you're at a tough place and only 1-0 up, then you have to manage games. We've been really good at that.

"From the moment Mikel [Arteta] was at Arsenal, it showed that he wanted to play out from the back, get in good positions in the box and play football. There's no instruction to play cautious. It all depends on the game state. Sometimes you have to do that.

"We need more goals. We know that. Everyone is working hard. At one point, it will click. We will do everything in our power to make that time this Sunday [versus Chelsea]."