Arsenal snapped up Thomas Partey on deadline day recently and excitement has been high regarding the Ghanaian, who came on for his debut against Manchester City this weekend.
But they also moved a player in the opposite direction.
Lucas Torreira was looking at a season on the fringes under Mikel Arteta and headed in the opposite direction, joining Los Colchoneros on a season-long loan deal.
The Uruguayan will now be looking to thrive in Diego Simeone’s side and he made his debut yesterday, playing the full 90 minutes as Atleti defeated Celta Vigo 2-0.
It was a brave display from Torreira, who had to battle through cramp toward the end of proceedings.
It was a display that clearly impressed Simeone.
“He is a hard worker, we are going to need him, he competes very well,” Simeone told MARCA. “He will give us a lot of strength in the middle when he takes the form, he will generate more speed in the exit of the ball, hopefully, he will take the best form. characteristics, he’s a guy who’s going to give absolutely everything.”
Arsenal fans often got to see the best and worst of Torreira. Often an inspirational and hard-working figure on the field his lack of guile often let him down once Arteta implemented his own ideas to the Arsenal team.
In Partey, the Gunners will feel they have made a huge upgrade but continued impressive performances from the Uruguayan in the Spanish capital can only be a good thing for Arsenal.
There is no purchase option in his current loan deal so good displays will bump up the price should Arsenal decide to sell him next summer.