Trossard's secret to success

Since entering the Premier League in the summer of 2019, Trossard has scored 15 goals with his right foot and 10 with his left foot, which is said to be weaker. Particularly in the first half of the 2022-2023 season, when he was still at Brighton, the number of shots with both feet of the Belgian striker was equal.

These statistics show that Trossard is one of the most powerful two-footed players in the Premier League. But this is not a natural talent. Growing up in eastern Belgium, young Trossard was passionate about football and ready to play at every opportunity. At that time, Grandpa taught Leandro about the importance of improving his non-dominant leg.

"My grandfather really inspired me, especially when I was young," Trossard told Arsenal's website. "He didn't play professionally, but he helped me a lot throughout my career. He was always there for me, supporting me, coming to the games and everything."

Trossard emphasized that it was his grandfather who trained him to use his left foot. "He always said that if I want to be a top player, I have to develop skills in both feet," continued the 28-year-old striker. "He said I had to handle the ball well with both feet and helped me with that. He lived close to me, and whenever he came to stay with me, he took me out to practice."

The Arsenal rookie started playing football at the age of 7, but loved football before that and always wanted to play with friends. "From the very beginning, I wanted to be a professional footballer. It was always my dream and my goal. My family doesn't have a football tradition, so my starting point is not high, but that's it. doesn't stop me from believing I can do it."

Trossard's career path started with small teams in the Maasmechelen region, Belgium, where he was born and raised near the Dutch border. It was not until the age of 15 that Trossard moved to the big local club Genk - the Belgian champion team the same year he joined their academy.

Starting his career and playing at the top level is a bit late, but Trossard has never lacked confidence, and his faith is bolstered by the support of his family. "My parents, all my family, always believe and support me. But to be honest, I am also very active and always love to play," the Belgian striker expressed.

According to Trossard, joining Genk is a good step, because the club is always at the top of Belgian football. But he was not too surprised with this initial success. Trossard said: "I always thought that one day I would show people that I was good enough to play for big clubs. I grew up with a lot of ambition and energy. In general, I believe in my own qualities, and know that if need be, I can do some good deeds, show people what I'm capable of."

Near the end of the 2011-2012 season, at the age of 17, Trossard made his Genk debut, coming on as a substitute. But for the next four years, he had to wander through three other teams. Trossard respectively played for two Belgian second-tier teams, Lommel United and Westerlo, on loan for two seasons. He returned to Lommel to play in the 2014-2015 season, before being loaned by Leuven - the team in the top division - for the 2015-2016 season. After this period, Genk called Trossard back and started playing him regularly.

For other young players, being on loan for four years in a row can have a significant negative impact on motivation and confidence. But not Trossard. "I'm not upset, because I asked the club to do it," he said. "I came to Genk at the age of 15, and made my debut for the club at 17, but after only a few months, I found that I would not be able to play, or even have a reserve position. So I proposed to leave on contract. loan". Trossard admitted that those loan seasons were really good, made him better, and then returned to Genk and won the starting place.

Trossard exploded in two seasons with Lommel, but only really resonated on the continent when he returned and played three seasons for Gank. And in the summer of 2019, he signed with Brighton on a four-year contract with the option to extend for a further season.

It was an important decision for Trossard's career, and the next step after realizing his ambition to start in the Belgian championship. "I wanted to go to the Premier League," he recalls. "I discussed it with my wife and was supported. So we left Belgium for the first time. My wife always let me decide, because she believed I would make the right choice." The move to Brighton went smoothly. Trossard and his wife are both adventurous blood, speak English, so they have no problem settling down. "Thanks to that, I can focus on football," the striker explained.

Trossard's wife, Laura Hilven, has been around almost always since her husband started competing at the top. Therefore, Trossard sees Laura as an inspiration and invaluable help off the pitch. "We've been together since 18, it's been almost 10 years now. So she knows me very well," he confided. "Laura stands by my side, helps me a lot, like when I'm injured or when I have some kind of obstacle. She knows how to help me deal with that and how to help me. Now we have two children, so if I Whether it's hard or failing, it's great to be able to come home, see the kids, and spend time with my family."

Trossard had more than three successful seasons with Brighton, scoring 25 goals in 116 Premier League appearances. Trossard was also promoted to Belgium shortly after joining Brighton, and then worked with Arsenal legend Thierry Henry on the team. But according to the 28-year-old striker, accumulated experience in the Premier League is more valuable than any coaching or advice from others.

"Obviously coaches help you in some way, but it's hard to say exactly how," Trossard explained. "But you gain experience over the years, and that helps you to develop and improve. I've been playing in the Premier League for four years, and I think with each game you learn more and more and more. gain experience". Now, looking back at his first move to Brighton, Trossard admits he could have done a lot differently in some situations, because he's been through it and knows how to deal with it.

Trossard believes that with his accumulated experience, he is ready to compete for a starting spot in coach Mikel Arteta's squad after his $26 million transfer to Arsenal in January. And the fact proves it, when the Belgian striker helped the "Gunners" attack more speed and efficiency, besides five assists and one goal in the first five main matches.

Trossard says he immediately sealed his future as soon as he learned of Arsenal's interest. "From the first time I heard about it, I was really excited to come to Arsenal, because it is a top club," said the striker born in 1994. "Arsenal was playing very well before I arrived, and looking at the current team, I know what we can achieve this season." The one-on-one conversation with Arteta further fueled Trossard's desire to join Arsenal. With the support of his family, he found joining the London club was an easy decision.

According to Trossard, being settled off the pitch helped him quickly adjust to the environment at the Emirates. The Belgian striker currently has his own family with two children, but his big family is still very close, because his parents and sister's husband and wife often visit from Belgium. "They came to see me a few times at the Emirates," he said. "But actually, since I was at Brighton, they've been coming from Belgium to cheer. That's why we're always supported."

Thanks to his parents and sister who often came to help his wife with housework and childcare arrangements in London, Trossard felt comfortable at home, and just needed to rest to focus on football goals with Arsenal. .

Trossard claims to have progressed in his career the way he wanted, and sees Arsenal as the ideal club for him to be ready to conquer big trophies. "That's what I want to do. I'm inspired by getting better, winning and motivated. I'm enjoying each day, satisfied with the way life is going and want to continue like that. ", he added.

The rare thing that makes Trossard still falter is that his grandfather, Gerarrd, has not directly come to London to watch him play, although he still regularly watches his grandson. He said: "Age made it difficult for him to get here. But sometimes, when I scored with my weaker foot, he would say, 'Do you see why we have to practice that from a young age? Now it works!' It's great to hear that, and that's why I always train my left foot. Every time he tells me how important it is to use both feet because it brings gives me a definite advantage in my career. Now you can see that it's true."