Interview

Trossard: I gave Gabby a shout!

Leandro Trossard scored again in a home game in the Champions League – making it four goals in four appearances at Emirates Stadium this season – and it’s a goal that sends us to Munich next week still well in the tie.

The Belgian came on in the second half and coolly tucked home a first-time shot to make it 2-2 on the night, and ensure we go into the second leg all square with the German side.

But after taking the lead in the opening quarter of an hour, Trossard said there were plenty of regrets on the night.

“It’s a mixed feeling [in the dressing room] I would say. I think we started so well in the first 15 minutes; we could have been up by two or three goals. And then you can see their quality as well, especially up front, their individual qualities, they’re so strong, especially on the counter-attack, and that’s where they hurt us today.

“At the end I think we’re happy obviously with the equaliser, it brings us back on equal terms and then we have to do it there.”

Trossard’s equaliser was his 13th of the season, after he combined brilliantly with fellow sub Gabriel Jesus.

“He dribbled his way through and the moment he was in the box, I shouted his name because I knew I was free,” Leo said. “Luckily he saw me, and it’s the perfect goal for us – it was a great feeling.
 
“I think every footballer wants to play at the highest level, and the Champions League is that, especially in front of your home fans, it’s always nice. I’m happy with that.”

Now he’s looking ahead to the return match on Wednesday, knowing everything is still to play for as we look to make it through to the Champions League semi-final for the first time in 15 years.

“I think it will be a tough game there as well, they’ve shown today how they can hurt us so I think we need to work on that for next week and to be honest, I think if we’re at our top level, we can beat them. I think maybe on the ball today, that wasn’t the case so we know what we’re going to work on, but hopefully we can finish it there. 

“The confidence is really high, even without the game today. We’ve been playing so well in the last few weeks and months, and it’s just nice that we had the equaliser as well, I think it was so important to go to Munich and have that result, so it’s all to play for.”