According to a recent report by The Sun, Premier League outfit Arsenal are set to lose one of their most important players over the winter window, in the form of Lucas Torreira. The report suggests that the Uruguayan international has gradually grown unsettled at the Emirates Stadium. With an end to Unai Emery’s reign not on the horizon, he could be forced to leave in January.
It has been claimed that Serie A clubs Napoli and AC Milan are both keen on the young midfielder’s services and that he is willing to discuss a move away from North London as well. The Italian giants are said to be readying up 18-month loan deals for the Arsenal star, with the formalities already said to be underway from either clubs’ ends.
What Is Lucas Torreira’s Current Situation At Arsenal?
The Uruguayan midfielder was unquestionably one of the Gunners’ standout players, in what was a fairly lacklustre campaign all around last year. His feisty nature and willingness to work on and off the ball made him a good option for Unai Emery in the middle of the park. The 23-year-old played in 34 of the Gunners’ 38 league games last season but has only made four league starts this campaign.
Also, the Spanish tactician’s reluctance to let him operate out of his preferred midfield anchor role is highly questionable indeed. Nowadays, he’s often seen struggling in an advanced midfield position, where he looks more clueless on the ball than he does off it. His passion for the badge and the club, in general, has decreased considerably from the last term, and it doesn’t take a genius to notice that.
What Would He Bring To The Table If Played In His Actual Position?
Although Emery might be trying to develop the Uruguayan’s skill-set, like Maurizio Sarri had done with N’Golo Kante at Chelsea, it doesn’t look to be working quite as well so far. The combative midfield player makes a living making sharp interceptions and unexpected tackles. To move such a defence-minded player into an attacking position should be considered nothing less than a crime.
Although he isn’t fit to play in an advanced midfield role, he does have various attributes that will help his team move forward, albeit with his influence coming from the middle of the park. He has a keen eye for a pass and has the energy to track back on the cover just as fast as he can charge forward on the counter. Also, the diminutive Uruguayan has a knack of timing runs into the box, which makes him a potential goal threat as well.
What Should Arsenal Do With Lucas Torreira?
The player’s happiness comes first, and if he thinks that the uneasiness under Emery isn’t going to change, there’s every chance that he’s off in the winter. But, for the club’s sake, it would be in everyone’s best interest to move him back into his original defensive-midfield position, where he was such an impactful player. The Spanish manager has a little more than a month to fix this relationship, and if he fails to do so, the Uruguayan has Italian suitors queuing up for his signature.
