Torreira’s game is too good to classify in the traditional DM or B2B sense. To me he really comes alive in transition.
His positioning when transitioning from offense to defense has simultaneously allowed Xhaka to play more freely and covered our backline. The stats for this don’t show up so well but he’s either cutting off passing lanes or marking players out of attack allowing time for the rest of our players to make it back into position.
Additionally when transitioning from defense to offense, he constantly shows in good position to receive passes and turn up the midfield. He generally makes good decisions in taking the ball upfield or making a line cutting pass.
His work rate has also been relentless which has made him an absolute favorite among Gooners. We absolutely love him.
This is the apt description of Torreira as a midfielder. I remember almost two years ago, another Liverpool fan raised his name when he was relatively new to serie A. His traits makes him an absolute asset for a high pressing, fast transition team like Arsenal (Under Emery), Tottenham or Liverpool. I think Liverpool missed a trick by not going for him, and going for Fabinho, who is more of a traditional DM, and looks out of depth in fast transition.
Probably the most vital signing Arsenal has made in recent years, and one of the best signing of this season.