Arsenal legend Paul Merson has said Lucas Torreira is overrated adding that the midfielder has benefited hugely from one of Arsene Wenger's biggest errors.
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Torreira, who joined Arsenal from the Sampdoria during the summer has become fans' favourite due to his style and work rate. The 22-year-old claimed the club's player of the month award for November, having netted two goals in the last three matches including last weekend's winner against Huddersfield.
Merson admits he has been impressed by the Uruguayan but insists he would not be getting such rave reviews if only Wenger addressed a gaping deficiency in his side sooner. The former Arsenal man claims none of the top four would be looking to sign him were he available in January.Â
"Liverpool wouldn’t buy him tomorrow morning, I wouldn’t have thought any of the top four would. He can and will get better, but he’s done great. They needed it, we all knew that Arsene Wenger knew it but he was too stubborn to go and get someone," said Merson.Â
"He could be playing at Southampton and wouldn’t get a mention, or Burnley. No-one would mention it. It’s just that Arsenal needed it so badly. He gets around people, closes players down, gets everybody fighting. He’s not a natural passer, but he sets the tempo.Â
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"I’ve said all along, for years and years; Arsenal are one of the best teams in the world with the ball. But for the last four or five years, they’ve been one of the worst in the world without the ball. He has changed that. When Torreira gets around people, it’s a domino effect, and everybody else rallies and gets around the opposition players. And his attitude is great; he leaves nothing on the pitch and gets stuck in. He gets people going. He’s done absolutely outstandingly well, and came up with two massive goals in the last couple weeks."
Source: futaa