Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Newcastle United: Predicted starting XI – Lucas Torreira, anyone?

By Andrew Dowdeswell

CARDIFF, WALES - SEPTEMBER 02: Lucas Torreira of Arsenal sits on the bench before the Premier League match between Cardiff City and Arsenal FC at Cardiff City Stadium on September 2, 2018 in Cardiff, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
CARDIFF, WALES - SEPTEMBER 02: Lucas Torreira of Arsenal sits on the bench before the Premier League match between Cardiff City and Arsenal FC at Cardiff City Stadium on September 2, 2018 in Cardiff, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Aaron Ramsey
CARDIFF, WALES – SEPTEMBER 02: Aaron Ramsey of Arsenal is watched by Victor Camarasa of Cardiff City during the Premier League match between Cardiff City and Arsenal FC at Cardiff City Stadium on September 2, 2018 in Cardiff, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

Central midfield

There is being cautious with a new signing who is joining a new squad, a new country and league, a new footballing culture and system, all the while coming off the back of a summer-sapping World Cup. And then there is doing what Emery is doing with Lucas Torreira.

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Four matches. Four substitute appearances. Fitness worries aside, and there are some present after he picked up a knock in the international break (Torreira has since returned to training), I expect this to finally be the week that Torreira starts, with Emery using the extra time to international break provides to ready a new set-up.

Alongside Torreira, it would be surprising if either Granit Xhaka or Aaron Ramsey were dropped. Matteo Guendouzi will obviously be disappointed if this is the trio that Emery goes with, but it might be time for Arsenal to prepare their starting XI for the whole season, and for all of the promising signs that Guendouzi has shown, I am not sure that he is in it.

If Emery is worried by Torreira and his fitness, then Guendndouzi will likely be the first man up. Mohamed Elneny has almost been forgotten in the wake of the Frenchman’s meteoric rise. Perhaps, though, that’s not a bad thing.