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LONDON: Lucas Torreira has been in Arsenal for just a few months, but the fierce midfielder seems to be the kind of player whose club has been missing for years.
The Uruguayan international will only play for the seventh time in the Premier League when the Wolves go to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. However, its importance to the fast-growing team at Unai Emery is obvious.
Present in the central midfield, Torreira offered a combative presence, offering protection to his back, while his use of the ball was just as impressive.
Other players from Emery's team may have provided more spectacular moments in the Gunners' 15-game unbeaten run.
However, it is the contribution of Torreira and Granit Xhaka, transformed by the inconsistent player of the last seasons, which made it possible to believe that this side of Arsenal has the steel to support its load at the beginning.
The duo instilled a balance in the squad that was lacking during the last years of Arsène Wenger's reign.
Having built his first success in North London around a midfielder led by Patrick Vieira, Wenger's failure to resolve the apparent weaknesses of his past teams was sometimes disconcerting.
Gilberto Silva provided an admirable service, but since the Brazilian international left for Panathinaikos 10 years ago, few players have been able to fill what often seemed to be an obvious gap.
The arrival of Torreira in a £ 27 million contract with Sampdoria this summer, however, seems to have put an end to the wait.
Emery has brought the 22-year-old into his new life in English football, introducing the bench player for the first five league games, before deciding that Torreira was up to the task.
His performance in the 1-1 draw against Liverpool last weekend confirmed he had settled in his new environment.
"We must pay tribute to him because it is someone who works hard, who wants to work hard and who also shows it on the ground," said Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi.
"Against Liverpool, he recovered a lot of balls, which facilitates not only the defenders, but also the entire team."
"I've changed a lot of leagues, a lot of countries and I know it's not easy to settle in. I think it's been very successful."
The performance of Emery's team against Liverpool reinforced the belief that they had a chance to become true contenders in the Premier League race.
The main priority for Arsenal is to return to the Champions League after being absent last season. An extra challenge at the top of the table would be an added bonus.
Performance has steadily improved and the impact of Emery is already being felt.
The next test is to keep this form and the loss of English striker Danny Welbeck, ankle injury this week, will serve no purpose.
But Torreira has so far provided Arsenal with the qualities they lacked and if the midfielder continues to behave as he did, the Gunners may need to revisit their goals on the eve of the second half of the season. .
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