The Gunners have been disappointed with the ‘trophyless’ seasons at Arsenal. One of the major complaints was about club’s lack of willingness to spend big on players in transfer window. However, the scenario has changed in the last 4-5 years with the ‘superior’ North Londoners signings Ozil, Sanchez, Lacazette and Aubameyang. The recent additions have also given the gunners optimism about the future, especially Lucas Torreira, Bernd Leno and Sokratis.[spacer height=”30px”]
The signing of Lucas Torreira was evident even before the world cup started. The fans were elated with Arsenal finally signing a proper defensive midfielder, a person who could allow Ozil to play more freely up front and guarding the back four too.[spacer height=”30px”]
Looking forward to seeing this wild man in the Premier League! 🦁 #TimeForTorreira #Torreira #lucastorreira #arsenal #afc #puma pic.twitter.com/G7NlDKwMMS
— Jason Woods (@GunnerBallZ) July 19, 2018
[spacer height=”30px”]We expect Lucas Torreira to be in the playing 11 with his abilities to protect the defense and move the ball forward too. The Uruguayan played in the 2018 World Cup and would have that ‘lion-like spirit’ which he would bring to the club. Torreira has proved his mettle with fantastic performances, both with club and country and has all the ingredients to become extremely efficient defensive midfielder that we all have craved so badly for years.[spacer height=”30px”]
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“He is a very young player but his career is interesting in Italy and in the World Cup he improved very quickly.[spacer height=”20px”]
I think for us, this midfielder is very important and he is coming with ambition to get better here and to improve with us.”
– Emery on Torreira [/perfectpullquote]
[spacer height=”30px”]Torreira is very good with set-piece deliveries as he took all the free kicks and corners for Uruguay in Russia. He has scored some fabulous goals with free kicks for Sampdoria in the past season too. He is short which makes him vulnerable to headers however ESPN recently reported that Torreira is a mixture of Verrati and Kante creating an incredible defensive midfielder. I was Personally amazed, after watching Torreira in Russia and am positive that he will surprise all football fans around the world.[spacer height=”30px”]
2017/18 Best ‘Bundesliga Save’ winner, Bernd Leno has signed for the club for €22m. With both Petr Cech and Ospina in their 30’s and unsure about their future at the club due to their inconsistent performances last season, it was certainly time for Arsenal to get a top quality keeper. The German was vital for Bayer Leverkusen and is filled with experience of playing at highest level football.[spacer height=”30px”]
At the age of 19, he started 33 Bundesliga matches and eight Champions League ties for Leverkusen. He also won the Confederations Cup last year with ‘die mannschaft’. One aspect in which Leno excels is his penalty saving. We can expect Bernd playing regularly in the premier league while Cech in the Europa league and in the domestic cups.[spacer height=”20px”]++
The impact he will create on the team would be monumental. From player of his calibre Arsenal can realistically expect him saving Arsenal 6-7 points next season with his penalty saving antics, reflexes and ball handling.[spacer height=”30px”]
Bernd Leno is a modern goalkeeper who is comfortable on the ball and a penalty saving expert. #Arsenal https://t.co/8u6n55vzYv pic.twitter.com/oqXbSQipgz
— ARSENAL (@tomgunner14) June 19, 2018
[spacer height=”30px”]He has been criticized for making two errors in Germany’s 3-2 win over Australia during last year’s Confederations Cup and however Leno not going to Russia this summer is great for all gooners as that means would have to play better than his rivals (Neuer , Ter-stegen, etc.) to get in the national team in the future.[spacer height=”30px”]
Hence, I believe that Leno would prove as a great signing given the added motivation and hurt at not making the cut for his national team for World Cup and instead having that fire in the belly to make amends before the Euro 20.[spacer height=”30px”]
Defence is Arsenal’s main problem for the last of couple seasons. We allowed more goals than seventh placed Burnley last season. The defence is clearly lacking experience. 30 years old Sokratis Papastathopoulos is the answer to the problem.[spacer height=”30px”]
Sokratis another excellent addition to Unai Emery's Arsenal squad. Experienced centre back who will add further strength in depth to the defence.
Leno, Lichtsteiner and Sokratis all signed up by July 2. Torreira expected to follow when his World Cup with Uruguay ends. pic.twitter.com/h7zdeVWrgZ
— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley) July 2, 2018
[spacer height=”30px”]The experienced Greek defender will be vital this season getting our defence back in shape, making clean sheets more common. He will act as a leader in the team, hence a potential captain. It has been reported that Emery wants 5 captains at Arsenal, in my opinion- Sokratis and Torreira are one of them. He will be in the playing 11 for the majority of the season with emery trying changes now and then. Ability to read the ball and strength are his specialities.[spacer height=”30px”]
Playing with former teammates Mkhi and Auba would make it easy for him to adapt in Arsenal. He would be an amazing mentor to Mavrapanos too. However, he is slow and would need a speedy defensive partner. All in all , Sokratis would be our 1st choice defender next season with Koscielney injured.[spacer height=”30px”]
We need to remember that this will be first season for Torreira and other new signings in the English premier league and hence it will be difficult to adapt, it will take some time for new players with new system to show their full potential. I am confident that all 3 of the players described above would make Arsenal fans brag again.[spacer height=”30px”]
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