Unai Emery has tried the various combinations of personnel at his disposal in his opening matches in the premier league and the game next game will be the perfect opportunity to start Lucas Torreira alongside Guendouzi.
Granit Xhaka has had his chance and like a number of Arsenal fans, I just can’t see his value to the team in any shape or form. Xhaka is indecisive and unable to provide any cover for a back line that, despite a few additions, remains vulnerable.
He is more of an attacking midfielder but his inability to show his resolve and strength make him no more than a utility player in a crisis. He is also a liability when caught out of position.
In desperation, he Jumps into clumsy tackles which earn him a card. In a holding midfielder role, it’s vital that if a player is going to tackle, his timing needs to be exact to avoid giving the opposition an advantage in key areas.
Xhaka dives in like a drunk in a swimming pool in pursuit of a stray pound coin, and despite his experiences, he seems unable to develop this side of his game. Torreira deserves his opportunity to show the manager exactly what he can do and bolster the defensive aspects of the Gunners game.
He may be small but what he lacks in stature, he makes up for in determination. Like a Jack Russell at the heels of an intruder, Torreira is relentless in his pursuit of a lost ball.
He can also perform in the style of the Emery blueprint by playing out from the back and has the ability to provide a variety of long or short passes to establish the play upfield.
I expect few changes in the next game but Torreira must start to provide the necessary bite Arsenal need. The back line will probably remain unchanged and it’s a toss-up between Mkhitaryan, Iwobi, Ramsey and Ozil. So that leaves the possibility of either Mkhitaryan or Ozil finding themselves in the bench due to Iwobi’s productive showings.
