Arsenal: 5 key players against Brighton as streak begins again

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 02: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates his team's victory after the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on December 1, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 02: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates his team's victory after the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on December 1, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
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Arsenal, Lucas Torreira
(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

4. Lucas Torreira

I feel like I need to preface everyone on this list with the standard, “but I don’t know what Unai Emery will decide to do, with Liverpool at the weekend.” Because I don’t. But I do know that Lucas Torreira started on the bench against Burnley, and I do know that Torreira is far too important to start two consecutive matches on the bench.

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The problem is, and arguably the main reason he is a key player, is because he is sitting on four yellowcards. Meaning if he gets that one more card against Brighton, he will be missing against Liverpool, which would be more than a little devastating.

I’m sure Torreira will have direction to be on his best behavior and avoid any situation that can earn him a card, but I’m not sure, in that light, how effective he will be. He doesn’t have a volume below 11. He is always going to be fearsome and firing. That’s just who he is.

Which makes him a key player. Because in a battle of a game, Torreira is a killer warrior to have. He is going to be plugged back into the fray and he is going to need to be at his best, even if he has to be a bit toned down. Which he probably won’t be.

Moving on to No. 3.