“He just affects football matches" - Tim Sherwood hails 'absolutely outstanding' Arsenal star after performance in 4-0 win over PSV

Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Tim Sherwood was impressed by Leandro Trossard's performance in Arsenal's UEFA Champions League win over PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday (September 20).

The Gunners played in the competition for the first time since March 2017, marking the occasion with a dominant 4-0 win. Bukayo Saka opened the scoring in the eighth minute before setting up Trossard 12 minutes later.

The Belgian forward's shot was neatly tucked into the corner after some brilliant work from Saka and Gabriel Jesus in the build-up. Trossard then found Jesus with a perfect cross from the left flank, and the Brazilian forward made it 3-0 seven minutes before the break.

Manager Mikel Arteta took Trossard off around the hour mark for Reiss Nelson, as the he game was virtually in the bag. Sherwood praised the Belgian on Sky Sports (h/t The Boot Room):

"Trossard, what a signing he’s been. What is he? Less than £30 million, and he’s coming in for Martinelli who’s out injured.

"He just affects football matches, scores another great goal tonight and the assist as well. He’s absolutely outstanding, and, I think, Mikel has got a great group of players there."

Trossard was signed from Brighton & Hove Albion in January for £27 million and has registered four goals and 11 assists in 27 games across competitions, starting 13 times.

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta thanks fans for atmosphere after UEFA Champions League win

It took Arsenal over six years to return to the UEFA Champions League after being eliminated from the last-16 by Bayern Munich in 2017 (10-2 on aggregate).

After the game at the Emirates on Wednesday, manager Mikel Arteta thanked the fans, saying via TNT Sports (h/t BBC):

"We enjoyed it. From the first minute we went for it. We were really good in both boxes, and in the Champions League, when you are really good in both boxes you have a chance. In between the boxes there are things to improve but inside the boxes we were phenomenal."

Arsenal have never won the Champions League, with their only appearance in the final coming in the 2005-06 edition, where they lost 2-1 to Barcelona.

The Gunners led the Premier League table for 248 days last season but eventually finished short of Manchester City by five points. They have retained the core of that squad and have added the likes of Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice to their ranks.

Arsenal fans can, therefore, be optimistic of their team's chances in Europe this season.