Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira has revealed that his Uruguayan national team team-mate Luis Suarez played a key role in convincing him to join Arsenal during the summer transfer window.
Torreira arrived at the Emirates this summer in a £26 million deal from Sampdoria and he represented the most expensive investment made by manager Unai Emery during his first transfer window.
‘Luis Suarez was very helpful,’ Torreira said as quoted by Metro.
‘He spoke to Raul [Sanllehi], who brought many players to Barcelona. I was really grateful to Luis and only a short time ago I sent him a message of thanks.
‘He told me how wonderful the Premier League is, describing it as the best, and he said what a great time he had at Liverpool. ‘When we were together for internationals he would often talk about the Premier League. I’m incredibly proud [to be here]. It feels such a privilege.’
Due to the fact that he was the biggest investment made by the Gunners last summer, Torreira is expected to play a big role in Emery’s first-team plans as the season matures.
He has so far been eased into the first-team, starting on the bench during the opening defeat against Manchester City, before coming on as a substitute against Chelsea and West Ham.
The young Matteo Guendouzi has so far started ahead of Torreira in all of Arsenal’s three League games. Guendouzi has certainly proved that he has a bright future ahead of him and that he is capable of performing in the Premier League.
However, the 19-year-old had a poor game, despite Arsenal defeating West Ham 3-1 on Saturday. Torreira showed some good touches against the Hammers after coming off the bench and it would be very surprising if he does not earn his first-start against Cardiff City next Sunday.
