The man who silenced all sceptics and how Arsenal dodged lethal bullet

A goal and an assist against Olympiacos in the Champions League, a goal against the minnows Port Vale in the EFL Cup, the winner for a road win against Fulham in the Premier League, a screamer in a draw against Sunderland, a deadlock-breaker against Tottenham in the North London Derby - all courtesy of Leandro Trossard.

But let's just pause for a moment and remember what was going on with the Belgian only four months ago.

With the arrival of lethal offensive firepower, paid nearly €200 million and embodied in Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, and Eberechi Eze, Arsenal had to get rid of some attacking players, and the first two on the chopping block were Gabriel Martinelli and Trossard.

It's now or never for Arsenal: Trossard must leave

The Brazilian's age worked in his favour, while Leo was on the verge of leaving Emirates Stadium. Several Bundesliga sides were reportedly interested in him, as the Gunners demanded - considering today's market conditions - only €20 million for his transfer.

However, thanks to the massive injury issues Arsenal's offence experienced and the entire conundrum surrounding Eze's move to North London, the 30-year-old signed a new, financially improved deal with the club last August, although its duration (until 2027) remained unchanged.

From this perspective, it was one of the best moves the Gunners' management made this year, excluding the excellent transfer window and some crucial reinforcements.

Since the start of the new campaign, Trossard has been Mikel Arteta's go-to solution in the attack, especially after Madueke and Gyokeres' injuries. He played on the wing, he played as a centre-forward, and most importantly, he delivered regularly, completely repaying the Spaniard's trust.

He is currently the team's joint-second top scorer this season, with five goals, alongside Eze, and just one goal behind the leading marksmen, Gyokeres and Bukayo Saka.

Moreover, he added five assists in the campaign - only one less than Declan Rice, Arsenal's set-piece taker, whose majority of assists come from corner kicks and free-kick crosses.

And only when one puts things into this perspective can one see the quality of Trossard's finishing, creativity, and passing, as well as the scale of his impact on the team.

So, the Gunners seem to have "dodged a bullet" four months ago when they pulled out of the Belgian's save, and that move may turn out to be title-winning in the end.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE - ROUND 12

Saturday

Burnley - Chelsea 0-2 (0-1)

/Neto 37, Fernandez 88/

Bournemouth - West Ham 2-2 (0-2)

/Tavernier 69 pen, Unal 81 - Wilson 11, 35/

Brighton - Brentford 2-1 (0-0)

/Welbeck 71, Hinshelwood 84 - Thiago 29 pen/

Fulham - Sunderland 1-0 (0-0)

/Jimenez 84/

Liverpool - Nottingham Forest 0-3 (0-1)

/Murillo 33, Savona 46, Gibbs-White 78/

Wolverhampton - Crystal Palace 0-2 (0-0)

/Munoz 63, Pino 69/

Newcastle - Manchester City 2-1 (0-0)

/Barnes 63, 70 - Dias 68/

Sunday

Leeds - Aston Villa 1-2 (1-0)

/Nmecha 8 - Rogers 48, 75/

Arsenal - Tottenham 4-1 (2-0)

/Trossard 36, Eze 41, 46, 76 - Richarlison 56/

Monday

23.00: (1.80) Man.Utd. (3.70) Everton (5.00)

***odds are subject to change***