The three key Arsenal players that will benefit the most from Lucas Torreira’s first Premier League start

Lucas Torreira is still waiting to for his first Arsenal start in the Premier League, but that could – and perhaps should – come this weekend against Everton.

The 22-year-old Uruguayan midfielder swapped Sampdoria for north London in the summer and has to date been utilised as a substitute in the top-flight under manager Unai Emery.

He’d debut in the Gunners opening Premier League fixture at home to Manchester City, coming on with 20 minutes to go, but he couldn’t help prevent a 0-2 loss.

Since then he’s been accumulating his minutes; in the subsequent contests with Chelsea (45), West Ham (34), Cardiff City (20) and Newcastle United (45).

Signed as a long-term investment it was never going to be long before the elegant deep-lying midfielder made Arsenal’s starting eleven. An extended World Cup campaign with La Celeste coupled with moving to a new league and environment, it was a matter of allowing him to assimilate without overdoing things.

That process is now seemingly over. A game-changing introduction at St. James’ Park provided Arsenal with the forward impetus they needed to break the deadlock whilst his full debut came in the form of an assurred and competent display in the Europa League.

His graduation not only excites the fans but complements those around him.

Here are three Gunners regulars that will benefit from Torreira’s presence from kick off.

1. Héctor Bellerín

For much of last season, no one caused Arsenal’s supporters more anxiety than Bellerín whose inconsistent performances mirrored that of the side.

On his day, there’s no question the Spaniard has worth, an extra outlet from the flanks Bellerín willingness to hug the touchline can help the Gunners to stretch their opposition subsequently creating space for their streetwise footballers to exploit.

The presence of Torreira is sure to be greeted by Bellerín, who can rampage forward with piece of mind knowing full well the diligent midfielder will be there to cover the space he vacates – which Emery encourages him to do.

Having played every single minute of Arsenal’s league campaign, it’s obvious how important Bellerín is to his new manager. After five league games, the long-serving full-back has supplied more open-play crosses (12) than any other player in the squad and has created one goal whilst averaging 0.6 chances created per 90 minutes.

2. Granit Xhaka

This season is Xhaka’s third at the Emirates stadium. Having arrived to much fanfare on the back of a credible Euro 2016 showing for Switzerland he continues to divide Arsenal’s passionate fanbase.

Part of the reason might not be his fault. Under former Gunners boss Arsene Wenger he’s rotated between operating in defensive midfield and a little further in central midfield.

Both roles come with different tasks so it’s imperative the makeup of the midfield is spot on so Xhaka’s frailties – which he does have – do not get exposed. That is where Torreira, a defensively astute midfielder, comes in.

His strengths can mask Xhaka’s weaknesses and augment his strengths. Torreira’s astute positional awareness and intelligence ensures his teammate’s lack of mobility is less exposed when the Gunners are in transition, expertly covering the space usually exploited by swift counter-attacking sides.

3. Mesut Özil

Cutting through the noise it’s clear Özil is still Arsenal’s creator-in-chief. The numbers might not always back that accolade, but no one in Emery’s side has equal vision to the German playmaker.

Given his gifts, the former Real Madrid man, like so many needs to be indulged. In other words, to consistently see the best of Özil the Gunners need to build their side around him.

One can argue they’ve already done so, but with Torreira around there’s a new dimension added, notably how the Uruguayan – who is more composed than fellow new-boy and midfield rival Mattéo Guendouzi – loves to pass the ball forward.

This consequently allows the aforementioned Özil to stay further up the pitch where he can cause the most damage to the opposition.

Furthermore, as previously mentioned with Bellerin, should Torreira be deployed on the right-hand side of Emery’s midfield pivot, Arsenal’s primary playmaker will have the perfect screen behind him and can reply on Torreira to idenitfy the gaps being left and make sure he is there to fill them.

It’s an obvious win-win.

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