Since his arrival from Sampdoria for £26.5m this summer, Lucas Torreira has been eased into action by Unai Emery.
The Arsenal boss was aware he was coming back late from the World Cup and into a new league with different demands from Serie A.
In recent games though, the Uruguayan has been handed starts and has impressed fans, pundits and his manager who was full of praise for him after his display in the 5-1 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday
Speaking afterwards, Emery is pleased with how the 22 year old is willing to learn and apply those lessons to his game.
“It’s his first season here at this level but he was playing in Italy which is a very hard competition also,” said the Spaniard.
“He is playing also with his national team, against big teams. And here, I think with his process he’s doing very well.
“The first is his humility to work every day, to listen, to learn. He is playing today in the middle, then right in the 4-4-2 and his performance is the same.
“I think his career is just starting and we want to do it with him, he can do it with us, giving us and giving him the best performances at the best level.”
Against Fulham Torreira led Arsenal with 6 interceptions and 8 ball recoveries, and added an energy and bite to midfield that fans have long yearned for.
It’s early days of course, but if he keeps up this progression that transfer fee will look like an absolute bargain.
For more on Torreira and the 5-1 win over Fulham, check out the brand new Arsecast Extra
Fulham 1-5 Arsenal: Five star Gunners take a step forward under Unai Emery
With Torreira, we have a good player in our hands.
He’s only 5ft 5″…He sums up to a 10/10!
Warrior! ?
The DM specialist we have been missing for years. Last true DM with the necessary traits was Gilberto and that was ages ago…
*ahem*
psychooo psychooo psychooo
Ah, for that righteous mid of Hleb, Flamini, and Fabregas….
Let’s not forget Rosicky who was also fantastic in that same midfield !!
I like how he shields the ball with his body and movement, winning fouls for us which frustrate the opposition. He reminds me of Greece’s Karagounis in that respect.
Don’t forget Flamini of 2007/2008 season.
True, then he became anything other than humble and went walkabout career-wise.
Sokratis really cooked up a brilliant description of him. He IS almost robotic in his persistence to get the ball, in spite of his demeanor, which makes his presence on the field a little scary in my imagination, like a little android who won’t stop until its target is terminated! I love this guy!
The Torreinator
“That Torreirinator is out there. He can’t be bargained with. He can’t be reasoned with. He doesn’t feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And he absolutely will not stop, ever, until he gets the ball back.”
Brilliant Terminator reference there.
Needed an athlete in midfield badly for several seasons. Santi and the Coq were the best we’ve had and that was largely due to Santi, in my opinion, though it contributed to his injury as he didn’t cope with the physical aspects as well and got injured. Would have been better to keep him at number 10.
Good that we have the Terrier.
Just 22…… Looking more like a bargain every day. I have real love for him already
A midfield of peak santi and torreira would be world class…. and adorable
We really did good with our signings this summer, so far I think he is the best of the group, but all the others have looked good too
What a great signing.
I still cannot get over how much I enjoyed us playing 442
Loved Coquelin when he was here but it’s clear that torriera is a major upgrade, he’s snappy in the tackle and his distribution is excellent. What a find. If we can get a box to box/water carrier type player in during the summer as a replacement for Rambo I think our midfield will start to look much more balanced.
you to bench xhaka or Ozil?
the midfield is already loaded.
Why bench Xhaka who since Torreira has been playing is really showing his true worth in the role he is comfortably with. One of the best and accurate passers in the country. Their partnership is showing dividends
Agree with this entirely. One of the great side-effects of Torreira’s emergence is that he has allowed Xhaka to play to his strengths. It’s a partnership that could have huge potential.
Rambo money should go on a winger. It’s not always necessary to replace like for like.
What Rambo money? As it stands we’re only likely to save his salary.
Now we just need to find the equivalent of Torreira in a central defender– young, skilled, tough, aggressive, ready to step right in and play well immediately, and likely to keep improving as the years go by.
You mean Holding, Mavro, or/and Chambers?
Right, we already have good CB just need more playing time to improve, what we need now is another LB, RB, and a true speedy winger!
Connor Coady
It wasn’t just Torreira, as much as he was good, he also lost the ball a number of times. Granit ALSO did very well (as he has been for sometime now) Several very composed headers in tandem with Mustafi and forward passes to release us quicker. I think people need to give credit where its due and frankly watch the games again. Waay too many imagined ills on certain players when they are willing to close a blind eye to others (like say Monreal giving the ball away or Rob Holding)…Imagine if it were Granit or Mustafi doing the same.… Read more »
We are playing 4-4-2 bc we have now got some solidity in midfield.
BUT it is also as much a tactical adjustment to put pressure on Fulham’s backline plus we needed hard workers in Lacazette, Welbeck and Iwobi to press and harry aagainst a very physical Fulham side.
No surprise that all 3 were gradually subbed off bc of effort after we had worn down Fulham and the players coming on in Auba and Ramsey profited from the effort prior.
I feel we are seeing two options emerge within team structure. Whilst 3-4-3 is still a question mark it would look like 4-4-2 is workable as much as 4-2-3-1 for us. 4-2-3-1 is as much 4-1-4-1 or 4-1-3-2 depending on emphasis. In this formation, we play with Ramsey or Ozil in the hole (As seen with the fifth goal yesterday with the creative players in the number 10 role feeding the striker) Or we have now option for 4-4-2 with two strikers in tandem but prob at expense of an Ozil or Ramsey type in favour of more balance out… Read more »
You should read Lewis Ambrose’s tactics column today. It’s a 4-2-2-2, as he points out. Our attacking width comes from the fullbacks; our vulnerability to counters is lessened by Xhaka dropping into a back three when necessary (and passing out from there), and Torreira’s anticipation and mobility to break up play.
Just a clarification–it’s not just a difference in labels. Mkhitaryan and Iwobi were not playing outside of Torreira and Xhaka, they were playing ahead of them. Would work with Ramsey/Ozil behind the strikers too.
I don’t think it would. Amrose himself pointed out that the difference with Mikhi and Iwobi is that they can choose to come inside and pass the ball, or stay wide and try to beat a man. They’re dynamic.
Neither Ramsey, but Ozil in particular go inside out (usually only outside in) and certainly never look to carry the ball and beat a man.
I call him Toreira ‘the terrible’. Now, let’s start unleashing terror on our opponents.
Loved the way instead of celebrating the wonder goal he went to the sideline for a drink ready for the next period of play. He is special imo.
That’s when I remembered again, why I love the guy
loved it when after one of the goals he wanted to get into the goal celebration huddle but could’nt as he was too small. too funny!
his kind of work rate is what was missing in the team for ages. teams have been steamrolling and bullying us forever. hopefully this rubs off on the others.
I’ve been very impressed with Torreira’s rapid development since joining the squad, if this continues we could have a really exceptional midfielder on our team. Also, as a big fan of Uruguay, it makes me smile when I see him toting his mate mug & thermos on to the plane or bus on the way to matches!