Having only made four substitute appearances in the Premier League for Unai Emery’s side, Lucas Torreira may have returned to Arsenal as a starting midfielder if it wasn’t for an injury sustained during the international break.
What’s the story?
According to a tweet from sports journalist Ben Dinnery, Lucas Torreira, who joined Arsenal from Sampdoria in July this year, picked up a knock in Uruguay’s 4-1 friendly victory over Mexico, causing concern about his potential spot in the Gunners’ starting lineup.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”289180″ player=”12034″ title=”A Futsal Player Walks Into A Denmark Squad…”]
The 22-year-old defensive-minded midfielder limped off the field at half time and was subsequently replaced by Cristhian Stuani, before spending the remainder of the friendly on the bench with his left leg wrapped in ice.
Goals from Luis Suarez, Gaston Pereiro and Jose Gimenez were enough to come away as victors, but Emery and the Arsenal fan base will care more about the well-being of their player.
Potential headache for Emery?
Whilst Torreira is yet to start a match for the North London outfit, following a number of impressive displays off the bench in recent weeks, the Uruguayan looked set to receive a call up to the starting eleven in Arsenal’s first match back from the international break against Newcastle United.
The young middle man is not only a threat going forward, but also top-class defensively. With the ability to intercept passes, break down play in the middle of the park and throw his small frame around, Torreira certainly could be a real asset to the Gunners’ midfield.
But, now with doubts over his fitness, Emery will have to rethink his plans as his side face a struggling Magpies team on Saturday.
With a starting central midfield partnership so far this season of Granit Xhaka, who has never quite found his form in England’s top flight, and newbie Mattéo Guendouzi, Emery would have surely liked the inclusion of Torreira this weekend.
Although the starting midfield set up is strong, it has only managed to pick up two victories in the opening four Premier League matches. Arsenal fans will be hoping that the injury to the Uruguayan is not serious, and Torreira will be able to slot into that lineup soon.
