Arsenal: Complete 2018/19 season player ratings

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LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 02: Lucas Torreira of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team’s fourth goal during 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) /

Lucas Torreira – 6.75

This year, I fell in love. A ratty, ankle-snapping, gnarly, five-foot-six, tattoed South American. He stole my heart with the bite in his tackle and fervour of his cries. Yes, Lucas Torreira is my new favourite Arsenal player, and I have absolutely no shame in admitting as much.

Signed for £26 million last summer, the Uruguayan burst onto the scene with a slew of terrific performances, the best of which came in the 4-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur — he was also very good in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool. His defensive nous allied with a relentless work rate and deceptive speed made him a menace in the middle of the pitch for opponents, incessantly biting at their ankles as he tried to nick the ball away.

His performances did tail off in the latter half of the season a little, but I am happy to put this down to his age — he was only 22 when he arrived — and the lack of a winter break combined with a summer World Cup. The quality is there, he now just needs to be a little more consistent.