Roberto De Zerbi, the coach of Brighton and Hove Albion, has emphasized that he holds no grudges against Arsenal star Leandro Trossard as their teams prepare to face each other on Sunday.
Trossard, who spent several successful years at Brighton before joining Arsenal in January, experienced a turbulent departure from the club marred by a public dispute with De Zerbi.
The Italian coach criticized Trossard’s attitude after the player left a training session before his departure, leading to his agent accusing De Zerbi of humiliating him in front of teammates.
Despite the contentious split, both Brighton and Trossard have thrived since parting ways.
Trossard has been an impressive presence in Arsenal’s title challenge, contributing with one goal and eight assists in 17 Premier League appearances.
Meanwhile, Brighton has enjoyed a remarkable season, with their sights set on European qualification.
As the upcoming match between Arsenal and Brighton approaches, it marks the first encounter between Trossard and De Zerbi since their falling out.
However, De Zerbi has chosen not to dwell on their past conflict, preferring to focus on his own team.
In his pre-match press conference, De Zerbi praised Trossard’s abilities but emphasized his pride in his own players and squad, avoiding discussions about individuals from other teams.
Following Chelsea’s successful pursuit of Mykhaylo Mudryk, Arsenal swiftly turned their attention to Trossard, who was open to a move and had 18 months remaining on his contract with Brighton.
The Belgian winger has seamlessly integrated into the Arsenal setup and has become a crucial figure in their unexpected title challenge.
With both Trossard and De Zerbi thriving in their respective paths, Sunday’s match promises an intriguing reunion, showcasing their growth and resilience since their acrimonious parting.