Mikel Arteta already has his Arsenal game-changer to unleash on PSG as new injury question raised

Leandro Trossard has proved to be the man for the big occasion quite a few times since joining Arsenal from Brighton & Hove Albion. The hope will be that he can do likewise once again when the Gunners take on PSG in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final clash next Tuesday.

Only introduced for the final 15 minutes or so in both of their eye-catching wins over Real Madrid in the previous round of the competition, the Belgian will be determined to play a bigger role this time around with a place in the showpiece finale up for grabs. The 30-year-old will certainly go into next week's game in confident mood after netting three goals in his last two outings.

After hitting two goals in last Sunday's 4-0 demolition of Ipswich Town, Trossard was on the scoresheet once again in Wednesday evening's 2-2 draw at home to Crystal Palace. He would have scored the winner in the contest had Jean-Philippe Mateta not capitalised on a William Saliba error in the 83rd minute.

Mateta's goal was extremely impressive and the same can also be said about Trossard's strike just prior to half-time. Taking in Jurrien Timber's fizzed pass, he produced a sharp turn in the box to create a yard of space for himself up against Jefferson Lerma before finding the bottom corner of Dean Henderson's goal.

In and out of the Arsenal team at times this season, Trossard has still managed to contribute nine goals and eight assists in 49 appearances in all competitions. It certainly wouldn't be a surprise if he adds to his tally in the upcoming game against PSG if handed a start by Mikel Arteta.

After all, he thrives on the big occasion and has a knack of contributing when it matters most. A starting berth for the Belgium international will certainly be something Arteta will have to decide on over the coming days.

Not only does he offer a goalscoring threat, his movement is excellent, he has an eye for a pass and his creativity and quality in the area could also prove vital. Mikel Merino has been used as an emergency striker by Arteta over the past couple of months and it has paid off for Arsenal, but Trossard could be his go-to option against PSG.

Merino was not involved in the Arsenal squad on Wednesday against Crystal Palace as he - and also Ben White - was deemed "not fit" by Arteta, who told Sky Sports ahead of the game that the club had "some issues" after the win over Ipswich. The Gunners boss then spoke about both absentees in his post-match press conference and admitted "we'll have to wait and see" if they will be in the squad on Tuesday night, thus raising question marks about their participation next week.

Trossard has really done all he can to put himself in Arteta's Arsenal team to take on PSG after notching four goals in his last four Premier League outings. Speaking after the Crystal Palace draw, the Spaniard was quizzed on Trossard's reaction to not starting against Real Madrid and how much he is now pushing for a start.

"Very good, I think he's been a very consistent player for us, whether playing as a nine, as a winger, starting or being a sub and that's what you want from a player," he explained. "He's always ready, he's always fit and he can make the difference in any moment, that's the best thing about Leo."

A pivotal player for Arsenal in the past, Trossard's latest heroics could just be around the corner.

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