Ruthless Lucas Torreira move details Unai Emery evolution at Arsenal

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  • Head coach Unai Emery’s evolution at Arsenal continued to gain momentum with Saturday’s 2-1 Premier League-win at floundering Newcastle United.

    After a dull first half which contained no attempts on target for either side, Uruguay anchor man Lucas Torreira was thrown on at the interval and two goals followed.

    Switzerland centre midfielder Granit Xhaka’s 49th-minute free-kick and ex-Germany playmaker Mesut Ozil’s calm finish – to mark his 200th Gunners run-out – less than 10 minutes later put the visitors in control.

    Republic of Ireland centre-back Ciaran Clark’s injury-time header then could not unsettle the Gunners, who made it three wins on the bounce.

    Here is our focus on Arsene Wenger’s successor.

    BASIC STATS

    Goals – 2

    Attempts – 12

    Attempts on target – 2

    Possession – 64%

    Tackles – 14

    Dribbles won – 6

    30-SECOND REPORT

    This was not vintage Arsenal. But they have rarely fitted this description since the mid ‘00s.

    The Gunners were just as culpable as Newcastle for an insipid opening period. Vitally, however, when compared to Wenger’s final campaign, little fragility was shown.

    The ruthless half-time introduction of Torreira for French youngster Matteo Guendouzi added balance. From this platform, Xhaka and Ozil converted their only attempts on target from 12.

    Even when Newcastle pushed late on, the Gunners held firm prior to Clark evading German centre-back Shkodran Mustafi’s attentions for what would be a consolation.

    TACTICAL TALKING POINT

    Emery’s shows ruthless side

    There were groans among sections of the Arsenal support when summer buy Torreira was, again, denied a first Premier League start.

    A change didn’t seem likely at half-time.

    Xhaka was way ahead in the touches column at that stage. Guendouzi’s three tackles and 97.5-per-cent pass accuracy were also leading figures.

    But Emery had spotted a crucial in-balance within his XI at the base of midfield. Torreira was thrown on at half-time for the adventurous Guendouzi, with instructions to play more centrally and deeper.

    The ex-Sampdoria man’s pass accuracy was more than 20-per-cent worse than the man he replaced (74.2 per cent/97.5 per cent). But his positioning was impeccable and Arsenal soared.

    These observations and direct actions proved beyond the prevaricating Wenger during his listless final seasons.

    VERDICT

    Few thrills and few complaints is the summation of this day for the Gunners faithful.

    Again, the 4-2-3-1 formation and high defensive line were reminiscent of the Wenger era. The only difference was the ruthlessness in both penalty areas – before Clark’s header, at least.

    Emery’s selection raised eyebrows as Armenia playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Torreira again started on the sidelines.

    Both would come on during a second half in which the Gunners profited.

    The failure to land a first top-flight clean sheet of the Emery era is the only thing that will truly sting.

    RATING – 7/10

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