Arsenal and Lucas Torreira: The stats you need to know

Arsenal are nearing the signing of Sampdoria midfielder Lucas Torreira. Here are all the key stats you need to know regarding the Uruguayan.

Arsenal are closing in on their second signing of the summer. After securing the free-agent acquisition of Stephan Lichststeiner last week, the Gunners are now pushing forwards to further bolster their squad, this time with Sampdoria midfielder Lucas Torreira.

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The two clubs have reportedly agreed on a £26.2 million fee — it is €5m more than the release clause, but Arsenal were happy to over-pay to fend off interest from Napoli — and a five-year contract offer is on the table with the hope that Torreira will sign it in the coming days, prior to the commencement of the World Cup.

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But what would Torreira actually offer? What type of player is he, what position does he play in and how would he fit into Unai Emery’s system, a system that we know very little about at this current time? Well, here are some key stats that you need to know to help paint a picture of the Uruguayan international.

First and foremost, height: Torreira stands at only 5-foot-6. He is not the towering, commanding, imposing presence that many fans may have hoped for to anchor the midfield. But that does not mean that he is not committed.

For what he lacks in height, Torreira more than makes up for in attitude and athleticism, throwing himself into challenges, biting opponent’s ankles, and making himself a general nuisance with his undying energy, his excellent engine and his relentless harassing off the ball.

Since the start of the 2016/17 season, the year in which Torreira established himself as the starting defensive midfielder for Sampdoria, no player has won more tackles (198), won more fouls (174), or made the most interceptions (158).

Additionally, last season, there were only three players in Serie A who won more than 100 tackles — Torreira, Allan and Lucas Leiva. Of the three, Torreira has the highest tackle win percentage at 68.2%.

Moreover, in regards per-90-minute statistics, Torreira far outperforms Granit Xhaka, Arsenal’s current starting defensive midfielder. In the Premier League last season, Xhaka averaged 2.1 tackles and 1.0 interceptions per 90 minutes. Torreira, in contrast, in Serie A, was at 2.8 tackles and 2.0 interceptions per 90 minutes, a substantial improvement on the Swiss international.

Next: Arsenal: 3 players impacted by Lucas Torreira signing

And there is one final statistic that may be more important than all the others. 22. Torreira is only 22 years of age. Not only, then, is he a player who can impact the here and now, but he offers a viable defensive midfield solution for the next decade. And all for £26.2 million. Absolute bargain.