Arsenal signed the 22-year-old midfielder Lucas Torreira from Sampdoria on a long-term contract in the summer transfer window for a fee believed to be in the region of £25 million. The Uruguayan international impressed at 2018 FIFA World Cup held in Russia and featured in all of his country’s matches. And he could be the next Santiago Cazorla.

https://twitter.com/gunnerblog/status/1036257663645114369

The Uruguayan midfielder is yet to start a Premier League match under Cardiff City Stadium while instantly drawing comparisons to the veteran Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla who ed Villareal on a free transfer this summer.

 

Creativity

Torreira came on as a substitute in the second half when the scores were level. The midfielder made quick impact by providing a defense splitting to Alexandre Lacazette in the 81st minute who scored the winner by blasting the ball into the roof of the net.

Lacazette had all the time to take his shot as the defenders were seen stranded by that from the new arrival. Similarly, Torreira provided a through ball to Aubameyang against Chelsea, but the Gabon international was caught offside before putting the ball in the net.

Ball Winning Ability

Arsenal craved for a natural ball winner for years, Cazorla was never seen putting in slide tackles. However, he did possess the ability to win the ball back with standing tackles notably at the away game at Etihad stadium in 0-2 win over Manchester City few years back.

https://twitter.com/HandofEmery/status/1037409681839415296

Torreira fits in comfortably in that section as he’s a proven ball winner and gives a little more defensive stability than the former Arsenal star, as he is known for his ball winning ability from his stint at Sampdoria followed by solid defensive performances at 2018 World Cup.

Close Control on ball

The Spaniard’s one of the important traits was his control on the ball to dictate the play. Most of the midfielders would just the ball to the nearest teammate after winning it back, but the case was different for Cazorla.

Th defensive midfielder was noticed keeping close control on the ball and darting forward with it against Cardiff City on Saturday. Notably also against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in 2nd half. A little more confidence in the midfielder would do wonders in the midfield for the North London club.

 

Accuracy

Arsenal has been spilling many goals from the midfield through mises for past two seasons, which led to bitter defeats in which the defeat to the fierce rivals Manchester United at Emirates Stadium. This was rarely a case with Cazorla in midfield, his ing accuracy made him a complete midfielder.

Meanwhile, the youngster put in a solid performance with completing 100% of attempted es, and 2/2 accurate long balls. Though he played only for 20 minutes, if Lucas continues to put in such performances, then Arsenal’s midfield problems could be solved.

Short But Strong 

Often, the short players are considered not so strong to win duels on the pitch, most importantly when it’s comes to Aerial duels. Cazorla was hardly seen winning aerial duels, but he was good in simple duels on the pitch and couldn’t be muscled off the ball easily.

Torreira has a bit of an edge over the spaniard in this department. He won 6/6 duels in the match against Cardiff on Saturday within a span of mere 20 minutes on the pitch. A strong midfielder is the need of the hour for Arsenal, and the presence of Uruguayan midfielder can make things tick for Unai Emery.