Arsenal: Top 3 underrated players in squad

2. Lucas Torreira

Lucas Torreira is a very particular type of player. Scrappy, combative, defensively sound, hugely energetic, a relentless engine that allows him to bound across the pitch without seemingly ever getting tired. He is a terrific midfielder to have alongside you and the type you would hate to play against.

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However, despite his excellent defensive contributions, there are some only look at his limited play in possession and question his value in the team. ‘If he cannot spray a 60-yard pass from one end of the pitch to the other like Granit Xhaka, he shouldn’t be a starter ahead of the Swiss midfielder,’ some argue.

And it is fair, Torreira is somewhat restricted in his distribution of possession. Xhaka plays 5.4 accurate long passes per 90 minutes. Torreira only plays 2.1 per 90. However, while that much is true, Torreira is not exactly poor with the ball at his feet. He still maintains an 87.9% pass completion rate, only 0.2% below Xhaka, plays 44.8 accurate short passes per 90, and has actually created more chances per 90 minutes than the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Sead Kolasinac, Matteo Guendouzi and Xhaka.

When you pair this neat and tidy work in possession with his defensive work — 1.9 tackles per 90 and a team-leading 2.0 interceptions per 90, excluding Rob Holding who has played only 86 minutes — his overall value is clear to see. Torreira is the best holding midfielder in the squad, and he should be viewed as such.