Having been deployed further forward in midfield by Unai Emery so as to win the ball back higher up the pitch, Lucas Torreira has seen a quick turnaround in the way he is being used now. The former Arsenal boss expressed that the Uruguay international could better serve the team by helping to press from the front, but following his departure a few weeks ago, the 23-year-old has seen normal service resumed in terms of his positioning.
And against Manchester City on Sunday afternoon, the holding midfielder battled bravely in the face of Pep Guardiola’s juggernaut. Though the Citizens blew the Gunners away with a scintillating first-half performance and sealed a 3-0 victory, Torreira gave it everything he got, and more importantly, delivered a major reminder to Freddie Ljungberg and any potential Arsenal managers that he is very much a bona-fide anchor man.
Lining up alongside Matteo Guendouzi in central midfield – Granit Xhaka having been ruled out with concussion – Torreira was at his typically tigerish self, snapping at heels and trying to close down City’s dangerous attackers.
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As per Sofascore, he won a very impressive ten of his 13 total duels, and to put that into further context, Guendouzi managed just to win just four. Torreira tried his best to stem the City attack by covering the ground and marking up tightly, but he was sadly let down by the rest of his teammates who failed to show the same level of application. His four tackles and two interceptions under-lined just how much heart and defensive tenacity he showed, whilst he was also fouled five times as he tried to be brave on the ball.
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In a truly chastening defeat at home, the £26m ace was the one man who could arguably leave with his head held high. His performance was the only saving grace on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Arsenal fans have hammered this ace for his showing against Manchester City.