Lucas Torreira left Arsenal to join Atletico Madrid on loan this month, and claims that he was suffering in London.
The 24 year-old was a big hit at the Emirates initially, but his form was short-lived, and he eventually found it hard to fight his way back into a regular first-team role.
Mikel Arteta showed a clear preference for Granit Xhaka and Dani Ceballos last season, before promoting Mo Elneny into the first team squad this season as well as signing Thomas Partey, which all-but sealed the fate of Torreira.
The former Sampdoria midfielder has now stated that he and his family ‘suffered’ during their time in London, and he is already feeling better after his move.
‘I’ve suffered a lot of things, I had a lot of personal problems and more than anything my family also suffered,’ he told Uruguayan outlet Ovacion.
‘I know that I am a year on loan. But I’ve been here for four or five days and it seems like it’s a lot, because I’ve been treated very well.’
Torreira goes onto claim that he has always dreamed of playing for Atletico, and claims earning that move at his relatively young age is an achievement.
‘It is a new opportunity in my life, in which I have fought a lot, because Atletico has always been one of my dreams, one of my goals as a team,’ he added.
‘And being able to achieve it at the age of 24 is something very important.
‘It all depends on how I go during the season, which I hope is very good, and maybe in the future I can stay in the club.’
Torreira’s home issues make his downfall at Arsenal make sense, as he clearly had talent that he couldn’t hone into the team in his latter period with the club, but we will wish him well wherever he ends up playing in the long-term.
Will Arsenal and Atletico’s relationship be a potential issue for Torreira’s hopes of staying in Madrid?
Patrick
Hope he plays well and makes a mark at Athletico. Come back or stay, either way it is a win win situation for us.
I would prefer selling him for good amount of money and reinvesting it at a different position next window. We are now strong at DM with the emergence of a certain Elneny.
Eh, Elneny has improved, but he’s just not top 4 quality so to call him a strong option is too optimistic if we want to qualify for ECL. Torreira is clearly better; I guarantee you that when Mo leaves he won’t be starting in a team of Atletico’s quality.
I’m sure some of the Liverpool fans also said the same thing about Henderson, Eh Henderson has improved but not a premier league winning player.
@Diogenes Partey being our primary DM, Elneny is an excellent backup. Hence, the position is strong and covered.
You have to be happy in your day job and family is so important. Good luck to Torreira and as written earlier this could be good for both parties.
Well said SueP. The fact that his home life in London was unhappy, was obvious for some time. Unfortunately despite his technical footballing ability, his tenacity did not overcome his lack of physical stature for the EPL.
The better he performs, the more his resale value, so win/win for Torreira and the Arsenal.
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Exactly right OZZIE! I actually do NOT want him back- he will still be too tiny to make it in our rough,tough Prem – but he may well have a decent sale value, after Covid .
Good luck Torrera I’ve always liked you.
OT: I love that arsenal message to the Nigerian fans, such a class message from a class club.
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Learning to speak English might have helped!
Jax, he was probably trying to learn English, after having to learn Italian after his native Spanish. Languages don’t come easy to everyone.
I said what he said this time last year.
It was pretty obvious to me that he was having off field issues.
I wish him all the best for the future, just sometimes with players this happens, it happened with Reyes as well.
For me this could have all been avoided if UE had paid more attention to the players that needed it, like LT.
Torreira is a good player and always tried his best and acted professionally at all times so i wish him well.