The Spaniard must organize his midfield or risk losing his job. Starting Lucas Torreira would be a step in the right direction. Unai Emery’s continued reliance on Granit Xhaka could be what keeps Arsenal from taking the next step and qualifying for the Champions League once again. If Lucas Torreira would start, Arsenal will greatly improve.
Having already missed out the past three seasons, the Gunners cannot afford to be left out of Europe’s premier club competition yet again. How should Arsenal go about improving defensively? Drop the Swiss international and restore stability to the midfield. Lucas Torreira must start.
Unai Emery’s Midfield Selection Could Cost Him at Arsenal
Why Lucas Torreira Should Start
Arsenal signed Lucas Torreira from Sampdoria in Serie A last summer. He had bright flashes in his first season at the club and was labeled, “Arsenal’s N’Golo Kanté.” While that may be an over-hyped moniker, the Uruguayan plays a similar style to the World Cup winner.
Both midfielders are very small in size but play huge roles in the team. They are best deployed as the holding midfielder in front of the back line used to stabilize the defense. Yet surprisingly, they are both currently being used out of their best role.
At Chelsea, Maurizio Sarri moved Kante further up the bitch to accommodate Jorginho. For Arsenal, Granit Xhaka is used in Torreira’s preferred spot. Torreira should be the one to start.
Reports have surfaced over the past few weeks that Unai Emery was overruled in the transfer market when it came to signing Torreira. He wanted one of his former players, Steven N’Zonzi.
The French midfielder was part of Emery’s 2015/16 Europa League winning side and was his first choice. He is 6’5”, and would be a big presence in the midfield. However, it is hard to argue that Torreira was not the better option considering his value and the fact that he is nearly seven years younger.
Although Torreira is the best option, he is rarely used in his preferred role. The big question surrounding him is, will he ever gain the trust from his manager?
Granit Xhaka
Xhaka fits a certain mold that Emery loves in his team. He wants his deepest midfielder to be a good passer and big in size. That is one obvious reason why Emery wanted Steven Nzonzi. Xhaka stands at 6’1”, an impressive seven inches taller than Torreira. But when that is all the player offers, it is time to change the plan.
Xhaka has committed more mistakes leading to goals than any other player in the Premier League since his arrival in 2016. His most noticeable blunder so far this season came in the North London Derby when he inexplicably went to ground in the penalty area, bringing down Son Heung-min and conceding a penalty, which was scored by Harry Kane.
This was no last ditch effort where he needed to make a challenge. There was very little threat at the time of the tackle. In addition to his mistakes, he is too slow on the ball. His passing statistics may be very good, but he is often overrun in the midfield, leaving the back four exposed.
Back Line
When Unai Emery was hired to replace Arsene Wenger, he stated that one of his main goals was to organize Arsenal’s defense which had many issues. Through 43 games in charge, the defensive record has worsened.
In Arsene Wenger’s final 43 games at the helm, Arsenal allowed 1.23 goals per game. In Emery’s first 43 matches, they have allowed 1.37 goals per game. The defense has undergone some changes but this is an unacceptable result of attempting to right the ship.
The defense is more stable with a player like Torreira anchored right in front. So why does Emery continue to play a failing player? Well, Arsenal have seemingly lacked a leader for quite some time and Emery sees Xhaka as his best option in that capacity.
It is expected that when the club captain is announced (oddly over a month into the season), that Xhaka will get the armband. However that decision is viewed, it is easy to understand a manager wanting his captain on the pitch.
Lucas Torreira should be the one to start. But, Emery’s loyalty to Granit Xhaka and inability to change his team could cost Arsenal Champions League football and ultimately, his job.
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