A BARRIER CALLED TORREIRA AND THE REBIRTH OF XHAKA…By Amagore
They say dynamites come in small packages and in Arsenal terms that perfectly describes our newly found midfield dynamo, Lucas Torreira. Over the years Arsenal has struggled to find a reliable midfield enforcer and this was partly due Wenger’s unwillingness to listen to the demands of the supporters. With Unai’s eye for detail the capture of Torreira is the best signing of the season so far and the best thing to happen for Arsenal since the days of Gilberto Silva and the Invincibles.
The diminutive midfielder has been a revelation for Arsenal and is without doubt now the backbone of the team. The jury was still out for Torreira but his dominant display in the middle of the park against a well drilled Liverpool side has confirmed that in Torreira we have a gem of a midfield maestro. For greater parts of the game he imposed himself on Liverpool with aplomb. He won tackles, he won headers, he initiated attacks from the back and that is the aggression Arsenal lacked under Wenger.
The Telepathic Combo……
If the performance of Torreira alongside Xhaka against Liverpool is to be replicated over the course of the season then surely the days of glory will be back before long. Unai Emery has defied odds and has already built a strong team that looks likely not to lose any match soon. It is now 14 games on the bounce without tasting defeat and the come-from-behind draw against Liverpool tasted like a victory, given that the team was expected to be decimated by Liverpool by most pundits including Ex-Arsenal guys like Paul Merson, who seem to think we are still managed by the stiff and stubborn Professor from France who had the audacity to make substitutions in the last minute of injury time and expected miracles..
Arsenal endured two losses to Manchester City and Chelsea early in the season and those results were a rude awakening for Unai Emery. However, I am impressed by how he went on to stamp his style on the team which now clearly understands the Unai style of game execution. The season is still a long way to go and that gives me more hope for a brighter future.
The Rebirth of Xhaka
The arrival of Torreira has seen the resurrection of Xhaka, a player who is a very controversial figure among the Arsenal faithful. During Wenger’s time it was difficult to tell the head or tail of Xhaka’s performance. He was a shadow of the player who used to attract attention when he was in the Bundesliga. Under Unai, Xhaka has been paired with Torreira who claims Xhaka makes him tick. The duo’s performance against Liverpool at the Emirates was just a marvel to watch. The two players understand each other well and are complementing each other well.
I know Unai needs to sort out the central defence soon but so far our midfield base of Xhaka and Torreira is bringing stability in the team. Could this be the combination that will make the Glory days a reality during our lifetime? Could this be the piece of the puzzle that will make Unai our Hero? Is this the Combo that will see us being counted among the big boys of England once again?
Come on you Gunners.
Gooner-talk by Ramsey@Zim-Arsenal desk……..aaronmagore@gmail.com