Arsenal: Lucas Torreira makes Steven N’Zonzi obselete

Arsenal are reportedly still interested in Sevilla midfielder Steven N’Zonzi. However, the impending acquisition of Lucas Torreira makes the striding Frenchman obsolete. The Gunners need quality, not quantity.

If you’d had asked all Arsenal fans before the summer window opened what the club’s biggest need was, I believe that most would have answered, in one form or another, central midfield. More precisely, I believe most would have told you that defensive midfield is the one position that needs investment more than any other.

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It has been an ailing issue that has undermined this team for over a decade, never truly addressed, always patched up without being solved permanently. And with Arsene Wenger now departed, many saw perhaps his biggest shortcoming this new regime’s most important task.

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Thankfully, it seems as though Sven Mislintat et al. agreed with that sentiment. There has been a myriad of holding midfielders linked with moves to north London and the club has seemingly set its sights on Sampdoria midfielder Lucas Torreira, who offers that snappy, busy, biting presence in the heart of the midfield that has been painfully absent. The deal is reported to be in the region of £26 million and could be completed this week, though his involvement in the World Cup for Uruguay does make the logistics of the move a little tricky.

But Arsenal are rumoured to not be stopping there. Another name that has been linked is Sevilla’s striding presence, Steven N’Zonzi, and the Frenchman is still being reported as a potential target, even with Torreira ostensibly on his way. Assuming that the rumour is true, which is quite an assumption, I admit, I struggle to understand Arsenal’s thinking.

The problem with the midfield options was never a lack of them. With Mohamed Elneny, Granit Xhaka, Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey all readily available last season, as well as the likes of Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Joe Willock pushing for opportunities, Wenger was never short of numbers in central areas, especially when he employed Mesut Ozil in a central-attacking-midfield role, meaning only two central midfielders were required.

The problem was quality. The midfield lacked a high-performing, true, anchoring presence. Xhaka lacked the defensive acumen, awareness of danger and natural athleticism. Elneny was a fine depth player but could not be relied upon to start frequently for a full season. Ramsey and Wilshere are attacking players, first and foremost, and need a defensive mind alongside them.

With Torreira’s presumed arrival, Unai Emery now has that defensive edge in midfield to complement the likes of Ramsey, Xhaka and Ozil. Another body is not necessary, especially if Emery’s bullish opinion of Maitland-Niles and his potential is to be believed.

Next: Arsenal: 3 players impacted by Lucas Torreira signing

And so, Torreira makes N’Zonzi obsolete. He is not needed. And with a tight budget, spending money on unnecessary players is an unwise move. If Arsenal sign N’Zonzi and Torreira, that is exactly what they will be doing.