What started as a couple of late second half cameos turning into one or two 45 minute masterclasses, new midfield man Lucas Torreira has started life pretty well in North London, and is already leaving a lasting impression. The real question now is, is it time to give him his first start? Is it now Torreira time?
Combative, composed, organised and surprisingly skillful, Torreira showed within minutes what he can bring. Slotting into a game half way through is never easy but he's looked at ease alongside any other one or two man combo in any situation so far. He can play behind or with any of Ramsey, Xhaka or Guendouzi, in any combination, making them all look better just by providing a natural defensive edge. The standout moment so far being his part in Alex Lacazette's winner against Cardiff; creating from deep, driving up the field whilst play was spread, picking up an inside pass and threading a perfectly executed ball through to Lacazette who lashed home a rocket.
Beyond the obvious and stand out moments though, Torreira has actually had a huge impact, whether many fans know it or not. His dynamism and ability to sniff out danger, and actually skip away of challenges too, has freed up his fellow midfielders from their defensive responsibilities. This has lead to a better balance in midfield as a holding midfielder with one or two box-to-boxers and/or an orthodox number 10, depending on the formation and personnel being played, is far more structured. In his four Premier League appearances to date, Torreira has missed only three tackles (winning five), made four key interceptions and actually only committed one foul. He's contributed one clearance, made two blocks and has been dribbled past three times - all in 119 minutes of action.
In comparing this to the other regular centre midfielders; Ramsey, Xhaka and Guendouzi, we'll see how defensively solid he is proving to be.
Torreira (119 mins)
- 5 tackles made (missing 3), 4 interceptions, 1 foul given away, 1 clearance, 2 blocks
Xhaka (296 mins)
- 6 tackles made (missing 4), 2 interceptions, 10 fouls given away, 4 clearances, 4 blocks
Guendouzi (306 mins)
- 11 tackles made (missing 4), 10 interceptions, 2 fouls given away, 2 clearances, 3 blocks
- 11 tackles made (missing 4), 10 interceptions, 2 fouls given away, 2 clearances, 3 blocks
Ramsey (256 mins)
- 5 tackles made (missing 7), 3 interceptions, 4 fouls given away, 1 clearance, 2 blocks
Lucas Torreira has played less than half the amount of minutes of all three other midfielders so for example let's double his stats to have played 238 minutes which would yield 10 tackles, 8 interceptions, 2 fouls given away, 2 clearances and 4 blocks making him the best performer in less minutes played. Assuming all players don't deliver like for like every week, making a double stat scenario unlikely, the average minutes played between Xhaka, Guendouzi and Ramsey is 286 a whopping 167 more than Torreira. This average produces 7 tackles made (5 missed), 5 interceptions, 5 fouls given away, 2 clearances and 3 blocks, clearly showing Torreira as a solid, if not, stand out, performer in having only played 41% of minutes compared to that of the 3-man average.
What it also shows, and potentially most importantly, is that our other midfielders are not holding, defensive-minded players. This isn't a dampen on their attacking or creative skills, their dynamism and energy nor their goalscoring prowess, it does however explain the openness to our midfield. It suggests that we have no solidity and no real defensive considerations without Torreira. Emery needs to identify his best three, certainly for games against the top six - and against any oppostion, Torreira should have a place. No other player in the squad comes close to this mould; tough tackling yet sensible, considerate yet dynamic and most importantly, capable of smelling danger regardless of the situation. All vital to a successful team, in any league, anywhere.
What it also shows, and potentially most importantly, is that our other midfielders are not holding, defensive-minded players. This isn't a dampen on their attacking or creative skills, their dynamism and energy nor their goalscoring prowess, it does however explain the openness to our midfield. It suggests that we have no solidity and no real defensive considerations without Torreira. Emery needs to identify his best three, certainly for games against the top six - and against any oppostion, Torreira should have a place. No other player in the squad comes close to this mould; tough tackling yet sensible, considerate yet dynamic and most importantly, capable of smelling danger regardless of the situation. All vital to a successful team, in any league, anywhere.
There are still steps to take for Torreria but this is the start that everyone wanted. Arsenal have been craving a natural holding midfielder since Gilberto Silva but in today's Premier League said holding midfielder needs to be good with the ball and be able to join in. Torreira can certainly do that. So Emery it's up to you...but the stats show (as do fans' opinions) that it is now Torreira time. He's the perfect foil for any of our midfielders, and a CDM (Torreira), a deep lying playmaker (Xhaka), and a box-to-box (Ramsey) combination is a great mix of traits and personnel. Guendouzi could slot into the line up instead of Xhaka and it would be similarly as effective. Torreira is the glue that will hold our midfield unit together, and whilst he's only going to get better - his time is now.
@craigbennett10
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