Leandro Trossard can be a key man for Arsenal – despite being “a bit of a moaner”.

The former Albion forward could face his old club at the Amex on Saturday.

Before that, he looks set to feature in the New Year’s Day clash at Brentford (5.30pm).

The injured Bukayo Saka (hamstring) is set to miss at least nine more Premier League matches as well as Arsenal’s FA Cup third-round tie against Manchester United, and their two-legged semi-final Carabao Cup clash with Newcastle.

Saka’s absence, coupled with a knee injury for Raheem Sterling, could see Trossard handed an extended run on Arsenal’s left-hand side, with Gabriel Martinelli switching wings to fill Saka’s void.

Trossard, 30, has been in and out of Arteta’s team since his move from the Seagulls two years ago but boss Mikel Arteta said: “He’s a really good character, but they all want to play.

“Leo has shown a lot more consistency in the last 12 months, but he has had a lot of competition in his position.

“Raise the level, and if he plays at that level then he will play like anyone else.

“He has the capacity to do something special in the final third.

“He’s played as a left winger, as an attacking midfielder, he’s played as a nine and he’s a player that I value a lot, we value a lot because he’s very versatile and very competitive and he’s a massive goal threat for the team.

“Leo naturally is a bit of a moaner but I like that because he’s very competitive and you have training sessions, he’s always busy with the referee’s decision, because he wants to win.

“He always wants to be the best and when he’s not there, he’s not happy. But that’s what pushes him.

"That’s where he comes in the pitch, he can make an impact because he’s got that drive, that anger which says, ‘I’m gonna show you’, and I love that about him.”