Arsenal supporters were left in awe after witnessing a frightening individual performance during the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea.
Mikel Arteta’s side travelled to Stamford Bridge knowing the importance of the occasion, and the Gunners showed that intent from the opening whistle. It was a night-and-day difference compared to Arsenal’s flat display at the same venue back in November, with intensity and confidence clearly restored.
Goals from Ben White, Viktor Gyökeres and Martin Zubimendi ultimately secured Arsenal a crucial first-leg advantage, but it was another member of Arteta’s squad who truly stole the spotlight.
Arsenal now head back to the Emirates with a lead to protect, and fans were quick to reflect on both the positives and negatives of the performance.
Some supporters highlighted Gyökeres and White as standout performers, while others felt Arsenal should have put the tie to bed earlier instead of allowing Chelsea back into the contest. There were also concerns about conceding late goals after being so defensively solid for much of the season, even though securing a lead away from home was widely viewed as a major boost.
Leandro Trossard leaves Arsenal fans stunned
Leandro Trossard’s inclusion in the starting XI raised eyebrows before kick-off due to recent fitness worries, but Arteta’s decision was quickly justified.
The Belgian forward looked sharp from the outset and caused Chelsea constant problems, particularly down Arsenal’s left side. On several occasions, Trossard appeared simply untouchable, gliding past defenders with ease and intelligence.
Arsenal fans flooded social media with praise for the 31-year-old, struggling to find the words to describe his impact.
One supporter joked that what Trossard was doing to defenders “should be illegal,” while another described him as a “scary player” when in full flow. Others suggested he looked like a man on a mission this season, with some admitting they had “no words” for the level he has reached.
Fans divided over Man of the Match
While Trossard drew huge praise, Gyökeres also received plenty of recognition, especially after getting on the scoresheet. Many fans felt the striker’s confidence visibly grew after his goal, hoping it could mark a turning point in his Arsenal career.
There were, however, mixed reactions in the fanbase, with some supporters criticising the tendency to overreact to single performances. Still, the overall mood was positive, with several players earning plaudits on the night.
Trossard’s influence was so effective that he was substituted after 67 minutes, having already done significant damage. His replacement, Gabriel Martinelli, was rested following his recent hat-trick, underlining the depth Arteta now has at his disposal.
Chelsea struggled to contain Trossard in dominant first half
Arsenal controlled large spells of the first half, and Trossard was central to that dominance. Chelsea simply couldn’t cope with his movement, close control and decision-making in tight areas.
By half-time, the former Brighton winger had attempted five dribbles, completing three, and repeatedly isolated Chelsea’s right side, leaving Josh Acheampong chasing shadows.
It has been an excellent week for Arsenal’s left-wing options, with Martinelli rotating out and Trossard stepping in seamlessly to deliver a top-class display.
The performance at Stamford Bridge was another reminder of Arsenal’s growing squad depth, and few players on the pitch were as entertaining or effective as Trossard on the night.
If he isn’t Arsenal’s best attacker this season, many fans are now asking — who is?
