Lucas Torreira did not start in the first few matches for Arsenal, under Arsene Wenger’s successor Unai Emery preferring to start any two of Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey, and Matteo Guendouzi ahead of him. Although he was brought on as a substitute during the end, the Gooners wanted to see him start, having seen him perform at the World Cup for Uruguay.
However, since then, Torreira has started every Premier League game for the Gunners, pairing up in the midfield with Granit Xhaka. The Uruguayan international has bestowed a lot of praise on his Swiss midfield partner. Torreira told the Evening Standard:
“I am going to get to grips better with all the tactical aspects of how Arsenal play.
“Last year, I got used to Sampdoria’s style of play, where we had three players across the midfield, and I’m now adapting to Arsenal’s and there just being two of us, playing alongside Granit Xhaka.
“There are many things I can improve on, but that will come with time. We are going to have a much better understanding, we’ll only improve and when things are going well the team will become even better.
“Granit is a player that I link up a lot within the midfield and he covers a lot of ground on the pitch.
“He occupies space really well and is important to the defensive balance of the team, which the manager knows.
“He’s an outlet for the first pass from defense and frustrates the opposition’s attackers. When he’s playing well, the team are going to win games.
“We’re gaining points and me and him are playing minutes together and gaining experience together, which is important.”
Partnered with Arsenal’s new summer signing from Sampdoria, Xhaka has emerged as one of the key players under Emery, and has played a very significant role in the North Londoners’ 13-game unbeaten run in all competitions. If Torreira is to be believed, the 26-year-old Swiss international is the player who really makes his side tick.
However, both the midfielders had a very good game against fellow title rivals Liverpool this weekend. Arsenal faithful would be hoping for the duo to keep up this good work so that they can challenge for trophies at the end of the season.
