Arsenal’s game against Burnley ended in a 0-0 draw and what was notable during the game was the choice of midfielders that manager Mikel Arteta picked.
Lucas Torreira had started Mikel Arteta’s first six games in charge, but Matteo Guendouzi was preferred to play alongside Granit Xhaka for the Turf Moor trip.
This move has elicited some criticism from former Arsenal player Kevin Campbell who spoke about Arteta’s decision. Speaking on AFTV’s Kevin Campbell Show(as per Daily Star), he said:
“Where was Torreira?, If you believe in your players, play them. There’s enough big lumps at the back to be able to go and head the ball. There’s only one ball, go and head it.”
“Look, for me, these moves don’t make sense, to leave him out and put him on the bench and then bring him on in the second half. Why?
“There’s going to be more pressure in the second half with them putting balls in the box.”
Though Torreira didn’t start the game, he was brought on in the second half for Bukayo Saka who suffered an injury. The youngster was playing as a left-back and his injury meant that Granit Xhaka dropped into that role and Torreira was now playing with Guendouzi in the middle.
The Uruguayan has been a lively presence in the Arsenal midfield ever since he moved to the Emirates. His tenacity and ball-winning skills are crucial to the way the North London club play. His defensive commitment also allows Xhaka to play with a lot more freedom.
Right now, the team is in Dubai for a training camp which will hopefully rejuvenate them. When they come back, they will face quite a fight to get back into the Champions League spots as they trail 4th placed Chelsea by some distance.
If the Gunners are to somehow claw their way back into the reckoning, players such as Lucas Torreira will have to play a bigger part. Perhaps the Burnley game was just Arteta testing out combinations and maybe the next time, the Uruguayan midfield dynamo will be back.
Arsenal will next play Newcastle United at the Emirates and they need to get back to winning ways if a serious challenge for the Champions League spots is to be made. Arteta will be aware of this so it will be interesting to see how he moves his team around.
