Arsenal World Cup update: Lucas Torreira shows exactly why he’s needed

Lucas Torreira was phenomenal for Uruguay against Portugal in the World Cup. He showed Arsenal exactly why he is needed next season and beyond.

The World Cup offers a unique insight into players that we, as predominantly Premier League fans, can often overlook. I don’t know about you, but I am rarely watching games between two mid-table La Liga teams. So when Arsenal look to sign players from those midtable European teams, summer international tournaments are excellent windows to cast an eye over what these targets are like.

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Admittedly, it is only a glimpse, playing for a team that is different from their clubs, perhaps playing in different positions and roles. But for some, it is the only chance that they get to watch these players.

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And on Saturday evening, all Arsenal fans were afforded this precise opportunity. £26-million target Lucas Torreira started for Uruguay in their second-round match against Portugal, anchoring the base of a deep-lying midfield as the South Americans tried to repel the waves of attacks led most prominently by the imposing figure of one Cristiano Ronaldo. Torreira was excellent, as were Uruguay, inspiring a 2-1 victory thanks to two Edinson Cavani goals.

Tasked with providing stability and energy to a midfield that was largely set up to prevent, Torreira was energetic, industrious, scrappy and a nuisance for the Portuguese attackers. He broke up play relentlessly, he scrapped his way into tackles, made blocks, intercepted passes, and then provided elements of quality in his distribution to move his team up the pitch quickly and effectively, which was integral for the success of their counter-attacks.

And his defensive statistics matched the busyness of his performance. Four clearances, four blocks, two interceptions, 100% of his aerial duels won, which is staggering considering he stands at only 5-foot-6, and an 84% pass completion rate.

In this all-action display, Torreira showed precisely what Arsenal have needed for so many years. Arsene Wenger bemoaned the failure to secure the signature of N’Golo Kante on two separate occasions — before his move to Leicester and before his move to Chelsea — and Torreira is extremely reminiscent of the ground-gobbling, game-breaking Frenchman.

His work against Ronaldo was especially impressive. Against one of the best attackers in the history of the game who has all of the athletic and physical advantages, Torreira was rarely beaten, diligent in his defending, unwavering sticking to his task, shutting down the space in which the great man could work in.

Next: Arsenal: 3 players impacted by Lucas Torreira signing

Partnering Torreira with the less mobile but better ball-playing Granit Xhaka looks like a strong option for Arsenal. Aaron Ramsey will be afforded the freedom to roam, as will Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Mohamed Elneny can be dropped to strictly a reserve role and Ainsley Maitland-Niles can continue to learn and develop. All because of Torreira. He is exactly what is needed.