Arsenal star Lucas Torreira sprang to life against Leicester... he just needs to get a little fitter

Even during the frustrating, declining years of the Arsene Wenger era, Arsenal had firepower and talent. They were always capable of creating and scoring goals. The problem was stopping the opposition.

The Unai Emery age has to be different. The signing of Lucas Torreira from Sampdoria caused optimism among Arsenal fans. The Uruguayan was acclaimed as the sort of player the club had been missing, a defensive midfielder whose destructive abilities would balance the team’s careless flamboyance.

It’s been a slow start for the 22-year-old. Torreira perhaps enjoyed his post-World Cup rest a little too heartily.

Emery’s reluctance to throw him in — his first five appearances were as a substitute — frustrated many in the stands. The Premier League is quick, physical and punishing. Any lack of fitness is quickly exposed.

In the first half against Leicester last night, Torreira looked off the pace. He occupied the space in front of his back four but struggled to get close to the visitors’ runners. Size is important in English football but N’Golo Kante has shown that mobility is more crucial than bulk. Torreira, with his unathletic shuffling gait, did not cover enough of the pitch. It was almost halfway through the first half before he won his first challenge.

On the ball, he was neat. The majority of his passes found a man. Most were sideways. At some clubs this would be a cause for concern but at the Emirates, where they have turned giving away possession in dangerous midfield areas into a malign art form, it was refreshing to see the ball get to its target. Not only that, Torreira always looked to give the option for a return pass.

He sprang to life in the second half. He began to get further up the pitch and make more of an impression at both ends. Torreira used space more effectively and found more energy, dispossessing Jamie Vardy with a sharp tackle. As Arsenal imposed themselves, so did the midfielder.

He started the move that led to the third, magnificent goal, arrowing the ball to Mesut Ozil on the halfway line. He was enjoying himself as he twice embarrassed Shinji Okazaki. Torreira was bought to break things up, though. He needs to get a little fitter and faster to give Arsenal what they really need.