The Arsenal legend believes that the Uruguay international midfielder is a good player, and that he would be a loss to the team if he left.
Keown added that former Arsenal head coach Unai Emery did not play the 24-year-old much, and suggested that it is hard to argue against manager Mikel Arteta’s decision as he is getting results now.
The Guardian reported earlier this month that Arsenal are ready to sell the 24-year-old for £18 million this summer or loan him out, with Fiorentina among the clubs interested in him.
Keown said about Torreira on talkSPORT (11:40am, September 25, 2020): “It’s hard to put your finger on it because when I saw him first break into the team, that tenacity and work rate and quality, technique on the ball, I thought he was going to be the answer.”
The Arsenal legend added while commenting on him having injury problems: “I don’t know if there are any underlying problems with the player, but he certainly looked to me to be the answer. It looks like he might just be a paperweight really in Partey in coming in the other direction.
“But I do feel he is a good player, but for some reason Arteta, not just Arteta to be honest, Emery was the same, did not really turn to him. A massive mystery. I thought it would be a loss to the team, but you can’t argue with Arteta because he is getting results.”
Leaving Arsenal
Torreira made 17 starts and 12 substitute appearances in the Premier League last season, while during the 2018-19 campaign, he made 24 starts and 10 substitute appearances in the league, according to WhoScored.
The midfielder is a good player who is only 24 years of age, and it is clear that he has a bright future ahead of him, but perhaps it will be at another club, not Arsenal.
Meanwhile, The Mirror has reported that Chelsea are planning to make one last push for West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice, which could free up Jorginho to leave for Arsenal, who are interested in the Italian.
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