Why Arsenal must keep hold of midfielder Lucas Torreira
According to Todo Mercado Web (h/t Daily Mail), Pablo Bentancur, the agent of Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira suggested that his client would like a return to Italy this summer.
Torreira arrived at the Emirates in the summer of 2018 after impressing for Serie A side Sampdoria, with whom he spent three years, playing 74 matches across all competitions. The £75k-a-week star enjoyed a successful debut season with Arsenal, playing 34 of their 38 league matches. He contributed to the side with two goals and as many assists.
However, the 24-year-old defensive midfielder has found game time hard to come under new boss Mikel Arteta, making 24 league appearances in total before an injury in March ruled him out for the rest of the season. Torreira had suffered a broken ankle at the beginning of March during an FA Cup clash against Portsmouth.
Having been ruled out initially for a period of ten weeks, the Uruguayan midfielder is currently working his way back to fitness. With the season being extended due to the ongoing coronavirus situation, Torreira could make a return to action.
Torreira offers a lot in the defensive midfield position
The unsettled Torreira has been under the radar of AC Milan for quite some time now, with the Serie A side readying a £35million deal back in April to tempt the Gunners.
Very much like Arsenal, Torreira has been in and out of form, starting in just 15 of his overall 24 league appearances. However, the Gunners do not have too many options in the defensive midfield role, with the other being Swiss international Granit Xhaka.
Xhaka, on the other hand, had fallen out of favour with the Arsenal fans earlier this season after engaging in an altercation with them earlier this season. Also, Xhaka has not been in the best of forms. However, the more experienced 27-year-old made it to the first-team line-up under Arteta, pushing Torreira to the sidelines.
With the side clearly lacking depth in that position, keeping him in like the safest option at the moment.
Read more:
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Verdict
Overall, it has been a disappointing outing for Arsenal this season and not just Torreira. Hence, letting him go would be really foolish. A proven performer, it would not take him much time to bounce back to form. This, in turn, could be useful for the struggling Arsenal next season. Thus, they should ward off interests from other sides and keep him at the Emirates for some more time.
