Arsenal: Lucas Torreira transfer timing not by accident

Arsenal’s move for Lucas Torreira has been announced, and the timing of it is not an accident. Yes, everything fits into place for a reason.

Sampdoria have officially announced that Lucas Torreira is leaving the club, which means that, barring the plot twist of the century, Arsenal will get their man. Well, another one of their men, as they seem to be getting everyone they want lately.

The move sounds to be exactly as we thought it would be. £26m for the 22-year-old Uruguayan striker-turned-midfielder.

This is all happening less than a day after Jack Wilshere announced that he would be leaving the club. Now, I’m not one to believe in serendipity. This is no mere coincidence that the Gunners are following up the departure of a long-time favorite in Wilshere with an announcement of their own.

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Torreira is coming right on the heels of Wilshere and it will be impossible to separate the parallel that Torreira is coming in to directly replace Wilshere.

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That’s a big ask. Not because he is incapable on the pitch, but because of the attachment to Wilshere. Thankfully, there has been a slow let-down from that, as we’ve all gradually accepted that Wilshere was going to leave.

Regardless of that, Torreira has the distinction of being the guy who replaces Jack Wilshere. On the bright side, he looks to be more capable of improving on him than just replacing him.

The Uruguayan has that Wenger-favorite trait of having played striker before settling into the midfield. Just like Hector Bellerin was a winger, and therefore can play both sides of the ball, Torreira is carrying the unlimited potential of being a goal scorer, a ball-winner, and that all-important pivot position that we seem to be lacking as of late.

Essentially, he can do all the things Jack Wilshere was supposed to do over the past decade, but hasn’t been able to because of injuries or lacking opportunities. In the name of progress, the club is hitting the reset on a fan favorite in favor of someone who has not been so hampered by career hiccups.

Torreira is on the step that Wilshere was at for years, where he couldn’t take the next one into reliable stardom.

And he’s four years younger.

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So no, the fact that Wilshere is leaving and Torreira also happens to be arriving right on the eave is not a coincidence. It’s a reminder of the direction the club is going.