5 Arsenal players with something to prove in pre-season

4. Lucas Torreira

Lucas Torreira has spent each of the past two seasons in the sun-drenched environs of Spain and Italy, but his latest loan with Fiorentina has come to an end and he will return to London Colney later this month.

The diminutive Uruguayan experienced little joy during his brief time at Atletico Madrid but- similar to his previous stint in the Mediterranean – was much more comfortable and successful in Tuscany, where he played 35 games in all competitions and claimed Fiorentina’s fan-voted Player of the Month award in January, March and April of this year.

Torreira’s popularity on Italian soil and unhappiness with the Gunners suggested a second chance in Serie A this summer would be the best outcome for all involved. However, as per his agent Pablo Bentancur, the Viola reneged on earlier financial promises regarding a permanent transfer and presented terms which were rejected by both the player and Arsenal, meaning that, for the moment, he is going nowhere.

It is still probable that we have seen the last of Torreira in an Arsenal shirt and he evidently lacks the physical and technical requirements to start in our midfield. But there is certainly space in the engine room if he wants to fight for it and, at the very least, he would be an excellent alternative choice to have in reserve.

Continued on the next slide…