Arsenal star Lucas Torreira fast becoming a transfer hit after benefitting from slow introduction

Getting stuck in: Lucas Torreira is proving a fierce competitor in Arsenal’s midfield
AFP/Getty Images
James Olley7 December 2018

Arsenal's start to the season looked difficult enough without head coach Unai Emery opting to leave out their most expensive summer signing.

Lucas Torreira was the type of purchase Gunners fans had been craving for years — a combative midfielder providing balance and support to those around him — yet they were made to wait a little longer despite a daunting double-header against Manchester City and Chelsea to kick off the campaign.

Arsenal lost both, with Torreira only coming on as a substitute as Emery chose to give his £27million acquisition extra time, firstly to recover from his World Cup exertions with Uruguay but also to acclimatise to life in England.

The 22-year-old speaks only a little English and spent much of this period working on his fitness to ensure he could have the same dynamic impact in the Premier League as Sampdoria enjoyed in Serie A.

Last season, no player made more tackles, drew more fouls or completed more interceptions in Italy’s top flight.

Recent weeks have seen Emery’s decision to omit Torreira from the starting XI for the first five matches reaping dividends. He scored the goal which finally settled last Sunday’s north London derby in Arsenal’s favour, capping a performance in which he won possession more times than anyone else on the pitch (12).

And at Old Trafford on Wednesday night, Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi edged a fiercely contested midfield battle as Manchester United were twice forced to come from behind to salvage a draw; only Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had a higher passing accuracy in the opposing half than Torreira, while, once again, nobody won the ball back more than the diminutive midfielder’s nine interceptions.

Torreira is now looking the shrewd signing he appeared at the time and the benefits of his slow integration into first-team football are there for all to see.

Asked about the manner of Torreira’s introduction to the team, Emery told Standard Sport: “The performance is improving each player with taking confidence and responsibility.

“Lucas Torreira has very big qualities in his physical condition. I want every player who can be okay to play Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday with a big performance physically and also tactically. Lucas has this quality.”

Emery believes this week is a stern test of the progress Arsenal have made during his time and so four points from games against Spurs and United are a sign of their wellbeing if rounded off with a win against Huddersfield at Emirates Stadium tomorrow.

There are clearly few concerns about Torreira playing three games in a week these days and so the midfield conundrum for Emery centres on whether he reinstalls Granit Xhaka, who was suspended against United, or continues with Guendouzi, who once again showed his considerable promise in recovering from a slow start to give as good as he got.

Marouane Fellaini will escape a FA punishment for pulling on Guendouzi’s hair as referee Andre Marriner believes he dealt with the incident at the time by awarding a free-kick but it will take more than a little rough-housing to knock the 20-year-old off his stride.

Fellaini's tug on Guendouzi was given as a foul but the Belgian escaped a yellow card
Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Xhaka has, however, been one of the most improved players under Emery this term, aided by detailed, specific tactical instruction he rarely received under Arsene Wenger, who encouraged players to adapt to in-game situations on their own.

The Xhaka-Torreira axis is at the heart of Arsenal’s 20-game unbeaten run, which has created a harmonious feel among supporters who are relishing the renewed vigour exemplified by Torreira’s performances.

“We are very convinced in our way — work, prepare, respect, push with our supporters at the Emirates and feel the spirit with them,” added an upbeat Emery.

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