Arsenal: One thing Lucas Torreira has to do against Watford

Arsenal finally started Lucas Torreira against Everton, but it was a bit of a subdued debut for one major reason, and it must be avoided against Watford.

Arsenal fans had been clamoring for Lucas Torreira to start from the moment the season started. Gradually, he got more and more playing time and, in the end, he got his first start against Everton last week. It was a glorious moment, seeing him in the starting XI next to Granit Xhaka, the dynamic duo that should solidify this midfield’s potential.

However, Torreira’s grand foray into the starting XI was hampered significantly when he picked up a bit of a sketch yellow card in the 14th minute. The tackle was rough, but the yellow card was most likely given because, after the tackle, his cleats went up in the air, which is an automatic yellow.

Or, rather, an automatic yellow when you tackle with your clears up in the air. This was post-tackle. But I digress. The point is that Torreira had to reign it in. The energy lessened significantly and the Gunners were subsequently overpowered in the crucial theatre in the midfield.

Torreira was still a positive influence, but the battle was lost in his zone of influence and it was thanks largely to the yellow card he received. Although it must be said that he did a fantastic job for the remaining 80 minutes not worsening the situation. He didn’t pull a Coquelin and fly around the pitch as if nothing had changed. He did his job as best he could with the limitations handed to him.

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Watford know what happened. They know why the Gunners struggled against Everton and they will undoubtedly be trying to exploit the exact same things that the Toffees did. Maybe not specifically in getting Torreira a yellow card, but in controlling the midfield.

Whatever the plan of attack is, we really, really need Torreira to avoid an early yellow. If not solely for his sake and the sake of the club in general, then for the sake of us finding out just how good this Torreira/Xhaka combination can be.

We’ve seen them at limited capacity and we’ve seen them with Torreira having a yellow card. But I want to see this combination play together flawlessly, control the game, and establish the partnership for what it can truly be – everything. And no, I’m not being dramatic.

It’s a big game, needless to say. And big games need big influencers. Torreira can be one of those influencers if he can avoid that yellow card.