Arsenal received a boost as midfielder Lucas Torreira made a return to the first-team ahead of their game against Newcastle United this weekend and should be able to put on his soccer cleats, according to a report published by The Standard.
Unai Emery’s side will be looking to record their third successive Premier League victory during the game against the Magpies. Rafa Benitez’s men have started the season in poor form, having taken just one point from their four games played thus far.
The Uruguay international Torreira is still to earn his first start of the season. He has so far been restricted to appearances off the bench. Emery has so far preferred to utilize Matteo Guendouzi and Granit Xhaka in midfield. As the two were solid during the club’s last game against Cardiff City, there are no assurances over whether Torreira will get game time against the Toon Army.
He suffered a calf injury during Uruguay’s recent 4-1 victory against Mexico and was required to sit out the second half. At this time, the extent of his injury was not known.
However, the 22-year-old was one of the first international players to return to Gunners training where he participated with the likes of Mesut Ozil, Alexandre Lacazette and Hector Bellerin.
Guendouzi arrived at the club during the summer as a relatively unknown French player. Not many would have expected him to play a role in the first-team but after impressing during pre-season, Emery decided to give him an opportunity.
The 19-year-old has proved that he is capable of performing at the highest level and has a bright future ahead of him. There are flaws in his game but these will be ironed out as he gets better with age.
The 25-year-old Xhaka, on the other hand, has his fair share of detractors and haters among the Gunners fans.
It remains to be seen which of the two Torreira will eventually usurp in order to force his way into the starting spot plans of Emery.
