Arsenal beat Luton in secret friendly as Leandro Trossard sends message to Mikel Arteta

Arsenal took on Luton in a secret friendly as details have since emerged of the Gunners’ victory.

Arsenal defeated Luton in a friendly on Thursday as Leandro Trossard starred despite being used sparingly by Mikel Arteta to begin the new season. The Gunners organised a behind-closed-doors match with Rob Edwards’ outfit, who are based near their training ground London Colney, as preparations for the campaign were stepped up and some players received valuable minutes.

As details continue to spill out of the secret friendly, it has emerged that Trossard scored twice against Luton according to The Telegraph as he sent Arteta a message outlining what he is capable of against top-flight opponents. The Belgian did not start either the Community Shield victory or their opening Premier League match of the season for Arsenal, despite first-choice striker Gabriel Jesus being sidelined through injury.

Trossard shone in his first few months as an Arsenal player leading the line, often linking up well with the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka. However, Kai Havertz started up front in the season’s curtain-raiser against Manchester City, before the former Chelsea star was moved back into midfield against Nottingham Forest while Eddie Nketiah was given the nod ahead of Trossard.

He came off the bench in both games, scoring the equaliser late in the Community Shield, clearly in Arteta’s thoughts ahead of the upcoming trip to Crystal Palace on Monday. Whether his performance is enough to force Arteta into starting the former Brighton man at Selhurst Park remains to be seen, but he has stated his case to the coaching staff watching on.