Arsenal legend suggests the club to replace Lucas Torreira

Arsenal summer signing Lucas Torreira has found it difficult to get going in his debut season in the Premier league

Arsenal brought Lucas Torreira to the Emirates from Sampdoria in adeal worth as much as 27 million pounds. The youngster was particularly impressive during the 2 seasons he spent in Sampdoria, and had become a key member in their first squad. The 22 year old made a bright start to his Arsenal career, and was among their best players when the Gunners put together their 22 match unbeaten run.

However, since then, Torreira has found it really diffcult to get going and his performances have been average, to say the least. Former Arsenal and England midfielder Paul Merson has insisted that the club should go and sign Watford midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure, who he feels is much better than Torreira,

“Everyone was raving about Lucas Torreira, but he’s not that good,” he told Sky Sports. 

“I said this a few months ago and everyone kicked up a stink. He only looks good as he’s what Arsenal have needed for a long time, someone to run around and put their foot in.

“But if you put him up for sale tomorrow, then none of the top five clubs in the Premier League would be interested.

“They should sign Abdoulaye Doucoure at Watford – he’d walk into the team. I’d take him tomorrow morning. He’s a much better player than Torreira and he scores goals. He’s one of the most under-rated players in the Premier League – he could play for any of the top six.

“It seems no one pays attention to him because he plays for Watford and fans will say, ‘Why are we buying him, he’s at Watford?’ – but he’s a proper player.”

Earlier in the season, Doucoure already suggested the fact that this might very well be his last season with Watford. French giants PSG have been constantly linked, especially given the fact that Adrien Rabiot declined to renew his contract at the Parc des Princes.

Author’s Take

Doucoure is a high quality midfielder and has been among Watford’s best players ever since he arrived at Vicarage road. At the same time, it has to be said that Torreira must be given more time and merely 1 season is not enough to judge a player, especially in the Premier league.