Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has played down comparisons between his former teammate Santi Cazorla and Leandro Trossard.

The Belgium international joined the Gunners in January from Brighton and has proven to be a shrewd £27million purchase.

Leandro Trossard is in the midst of a fine run of form for Arsenal

Leandro Trossard has been compared to Santi Cazorla because they both use both feet well

Trossard’s versatility has represented a major asset for Arteta, especially given a spate of injuries he has been forced to content with this season.

The 28-year-old has already played in recent weeks as a striker, on both flanks, and last weekend in a 1-0 victory at Brentford, he was even used in central midfield.

Due to his exceptional close control, two feet, and ability to dribble past opponents, Trossard has been compared to Spanish magician Cazorla by some.

Now winding down his career back at his first club Real Oviedo, the 38-year-old spent six years in north London playing alongside his compatriot Arteta.

Asked ahead of tonight’s Champions League game against Lens how Trossard compares with Cazorla, Arteta said: ‘I have to see Leo take a corner with his left foot. When he does that then maybe! He’s so good but Santi was something special.’

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Pressed as to whether Trossard represented one his best value for money signings so far, Arteta added: I don’t know about the financial side, I’m not an economist at the club!

‘I think he’s a tremendous player, that has great talent and especially great intelligence to play the way we want to play, so he’s a really good fit for us.

‘That (versatility) was one of the main reasons why we signed him; he’s got experience in the league, he’s done what he’s done in the league already.

‘We had a lot of issues in January in our frontline, and he could cover those necessities in a really efficient way, and he’s proven that he can do all that.’