Why Lucas Torreira must start regularly for Arsenal
Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira is set to hold talks with Gunners boss Unai Emery regarding his future at the club, according to Tuttomercatoweb (h/t Daily Mail).
After starting regularly last season for Arsenal since his move from Sampdoria, the midfielder has been irregular in Unai Emery’s starting line-up this season so far.
With just 3 starts in 11 games in the league, Torreira seems to be concerned over his situation at the club and therefore, a meeting with Unai Emery is yet to take place. He has also been an unused substitute on three occasions so far.
Torreira has a long-term contract with Arsenal, which runs till the summer of 2023, but was linked with a move to AC Milan in June, according to the Express. Unai’s unwillingness to start Torreira can be positive news for other clubs lurking around to snatch the defensive midfielder.
In his first season with Arsenal after arriving from Sampdoria for £26.5m, Torreira played 50 games across all competitions and suddenly being benched for the most part of this season is bizarre, to say the least.
Torreira’s favoured position as a central defensive midfielder in a 4-3-3 formation can benefit a lot of teams and every high profile team relies on a perfect holding midfielder. Players like Torreira can be very effective in teams who like to attack on a regular basis.
For an attack-minded team like Arsenal, Torreira is the best option to offer help to the defensive unit by mopping up behind. Despite letting Aaron Ramsey leave for free in the summer, Arsenal have a lot to choose from the likes of Matteo Guendouzi, Granit Xhaka, Dani Ceballos, Joe Willock and Mesut Ozil in the midfield.
In Torreira, Arsenal have one of the best midfielders and to use him would be Unai Emery’s gain if he wants to add cover to the defence. Arsenal’s defence has been easily breached for the most part of the season and they are struggling to keep a clean sheet in the league.
With Granit Xhaka being stripped of his captaincy after a fall out with the fans, the Arsenal boss has to think about starting Torreira along with Matteo Guendouzi in a two-man midfield or in a formation where Torreira can be the best to cover up the defence.
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Verdict
Opting to leave out the ex-Sampdoria man in the league has been a blunder that Emery should rectify and that must be able to get the fans behind him.
Torreira can be the key to Arsenal’s resurrection and just keeping him on the bench will not help Arsenal or Torreira.