Joining from Italian club Sampdoria over the summer, Uruguayan midfielder Lucas Torreira has enjoyed a good start at north London club Arsenal. The Gunners spent around £25 million capturing the midfielder as new Arsenal boss Unai Emery looks to bring Champions League football back to the club after Arsene Wenger oversaw the slip of the once “Invincible” team.
In order for Arsenal to achieve a return to the top European competition, they will need to continue their current good run of form. Such form has seen them sit in 5th place in the league, with only goal difference preventing them from a place in the top four. But if they are to have any chance of being considered in the Betfair Champions League betting odds next season, Torreira is likely to play a crucial role in getting there.
Torreira’s Arsenal career took a while to get going, as the Uruguayan earned his place in Emery’s team. He has now become a crucial component to Emery’s side and has helped the Gunners go 21 matches unbeaten, an unprecedented feat for Arsenal in the last decade.
Despite having both Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang up front in the match against Huddersfield, it was Torreira who scored the winner. The defensive midfielder capped of a scrappy move with a superbly timed bicycle kick in the 83rd minute to secure all three points for the home team.
In a team with plenty of attacking talent, it is Torreira who gets the team ticking. He is able to turn defence into attack in a moment and at 22 years old, there is still more to come from the youngster. Arsenal bagged themselves a real gem and have finally bought that no-nonsense midfielder that they have been lacking for many years now.
He was part of the Uruguay team who defeated Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the second round of the World Cup before being defeated by eventual champions France. He played a similar role for his country and was the player to watch out for on many occasions.
Emery’s Arsenal side are quietly going about their business in the league, picking up impressive result and refusing to give up when it looks like they’ve lost. Defensively Arsenal could do with some improvements, but for his first season in charge of the Gunners, Emery has already improved the squad massively.
Prior to their match against Southampton this weekend, Arsenal take on FK Qarabag in the Europa League. Torreira is likely to be rested for the Europa League match as Arsenal try to cement their place in the top four of the Premier League. A player who has become such an integral component to a team, Torreira’s future looks bright. If he can help Arsenal return to the Champions League in Emery’s first season in charge, then he has the potential to become a club legend, assuming he continues to maintain his
