Arsenal: Lucas Torreira ban pays testament to Matteo Guendouzi

Lucas Torreira’s three-game ban has been upheld after a failed appeal from Arsenal. The fact that I am not overly worried is a testament to Matteo Guendouzi.

For years, Arsenal have been crying out for a tough-tackling, ankle-snapping, ground-gobbling, defence-shielding midfielder to anchor the team around. The likes they used to have in Emmanuel Petit, Gilberto Silva and, to a lesser extent, the box-to-box Patrick Vieira.

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As world football has proven time and time again, being able to protect the defence in central midfield is one of the most important elements of a team. The best teams over the past 20 years have all had one or even two outstanding defensive midfielders. Sergio Busquets at Barcelona and Chelsea. Fernandinho with Manchester City. N’Golo Kante with Leicester City, Chelsea and World Cup winners France.

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And yet, Arsenal, for a reason utterly unknown, have attempted to buck the trend. The problem is that there is a reason the trend exists in the first place. Because it is true. Every successful team must have at least one elite shielding midfielder who can mop up loose balls, turnover possession on a regular basis, break up and counter-attacks, and provide crucial protection for the defence.

Their inability to address a critical shortcoming for more than a decade was infuriating. And it is why Lucas Torreira was welcomed with some loving arms when the Gunners splashed £26 million on his services last summer. He was seen as the perfect type of player to solve the midfield vulnerabilities. And his performances throughout his first season in north London have proven that he is indeed that player.

So, now imagine this player now missing three crucial games in the top-four race due to an unfortunate three-game suspension. Among such a desperate fan base that had been waiting for his ilk for years, you would expect utter panic, especially given that Manchester United, Arsenal’s greatest top-four rivals, come to the Emirates on Sunday.

But that has not really been the case. While it is frustrating to not have Torreira available for three league matches, which was confirmed on Wednesday after Arsenal’s appeal was rejected, there is a growing belief that the squad is deep enough at the position to deal with the Uruguayan’s absence for a short period. It is the presence of a 19-year-old, flame-haired kid who has waltzed into the midfield with a rare passion-enthused grace that settles the nerves.

Matteo Guendouzi controlled the first 45 minutes of the North London Derby on Saturday. He has been everpresent in the heart of Unai Emery’s midfield this season. His range of passing, surprising intensity and forceful tackling have endeared him to the fans; he is seen as one of the brightest talents in world football, both in the future and at present.

Usually, when a player of Torreira’s influence and need is missing for three games, you would expect fans to break down. But they aren’t. Not now. And that is a testament to Guendouzi. Now, he just has to deliver.