To be fair, we haven’t really seen the best of Lucas Torreira in an Arsenal shirt yet, but we certainly do seem to improve massively defensively when he comes on as a sub, and even though he is not yet used to playing in the Premier League he seems to add a lot of steel to the team when he is on the pitch.
According to the ex-Arsenal midfielder turned pundit Adrian Clarke, who writes analysis for the official Arsenal website, Torreira is the answer to all our problems. He said: “Arsenal have been crying out for a top-class specialist defensive midfielder for many seasons,”
“They have found one in the shape of Lucas Torreira.
“Unai Emery gently integrated the summer signing from Sampdoria, using him as a substitute in the first five matches of 2018/19.
“After a positive impact in each of those second-half appearances, Torreira has become a fixture in the first team and already one of their most influential players.
“Adding defensive focus, steadfast aggression, positional discipline and ball-winning qualities to the Arsenal midfield, Torreira provides excellent protection to the back four.
“He has transformed the team’s tactical approach, making Arsenal harder to break down and giving them a more solid central platform that allows Granit Xhaka and others to focus on creativity.
“Torreira can be relied upon not to stray too far away from his holding midfield position, always being in place to cover.
“This gives team-mates the confidence that their forays forward will not leave gaps.”
Torreira has only actually started three games for us, but could he really be our secret weapon this season?
Sam P