It’s been a rotten season-long loan away from Arsenal for Lucas Torreira, it must be said.
Since joining Atletico Madrid in October, the Uruguay international has managed only two starts in the league under Diego Simeone.
Torreira, who joined Arsenal in 2018, has played only 258 minutes of Liga football, spread across nine appearances which ought to illustrate how often he’s thrown into the game as a cameo.
And Sky journalist Dharmesh Sheth has revealed that there is now a ‘situation developing’ at the Emirates Stadium club.
Sheth has suggested that Torreira – whose number 11 shirt has been taken by Martin Odegaard – could be recalled by Arsenal in fear that honouring his remaining six months in the Spanish capital could result in his valuation plummeting.
He told Sky Sports News: “He will wear the number 11 shirt – significant because that shirt belonged to Lucas Torreira. Now there is a situation developing with Lucas Torreira.
“He’s still only made two Liga starts. The worry for Arsenal is, if that continues throughout the rest of his loan spell, it can only depreciate his value if they want to cash in on him during the summer.
“Cutting short that loan spell can’t be ruled out because Arsenal will want to see him play as much regular football as he can.”
The fact that the Real Madrid playmaker was given the number 11 jersey is indeed very significant.
It suggests that Arsenal don’t intend on recalling Torreira this month – or at least, they don’t intend on naming him in their renewed Premier League and Europa League squads if he is indeed brought back to North London.
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