Why Arsenal must do everything possible to keep hold of Lucas Torreira

According to a report from Calciomercato (h/t The Metro), Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira is unsettled at the club and has asked manager Unai Emery to sell him during the January transfer window.

The Uruguay international, 23, has found himself on the fringes of the Arsenal first-team this season and has started just four Premier League matches, of which the Gunners have won none. Unai Emery seems to have a reluctance to utilise him, and even when he is played, the role he is given doesn’t seem to suit him.

Lucas Torreira has impressed the most when played in a holding role, but Emery has often played him slightly further forward, which has limited his effectiveness. The current uncertainty over his place in the team coupled with the Gunners’ wretched form could see the midfielder leave the club. (h/t The Metro)

However, Emery just cannot allow the Uruguayan to leave in January and must integrate him quickly into his starting XI.

Of Arsenal’s 12 Premier League games this season, Torreira has remained on the bench for three and not played a full 90 minutes at all. He has scored two goals in 15 matches for Emery’s side this term.

With Granit Xhaka being made the club captain (and then stripped of captaincy), the arrival of Dani Ceballos, and the emergence of youngsters like Matteo Guendouzi and Joe Willock, the Uruguayan has found first-team action hard to come by.

Instead, he has made the majority of his appearances in the Europa League and Carabao Cup, where he has generally excelled in his preferred defensive midfield role.

The £26m South American star, however, has started the last two league games at the expense of Xhaka, who has not played for the club since reacting angrily to being jeered by Arsenal fans at the Emirates Stadium in their 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace on October 27.

And as Ceballos has been ruled out for a number of weeks with a hamstring injury, Torreira is set for a run in the side now.

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Without any doubt, Emery should alter his tactics and use Torreira in his preferred defensive midfield role. He isn’t effective in an advanced role and the Arsenal boss must bring an end to his experimentation.

Verdict

Torreira will be a big loss for Arsenal if he chooses to leave, especially when he has his best years ahead of him. Emery needs workhorses like Torreira in his first-team if he is to win trophies at the Emirates. Hence, the Spanish tactician must find a way to keep the midfielder happy in North London.