Lucas Torreira’s father commments on player’s exit from Arsenal

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Lucas Torreira departed Arsenal because he isn’t currently in Mikel Arteta’s long-term plans.

That’s the view of the player’s father who has been speaking about the 24-year-old’s move to Atletico Madrid which went through on international transfer deadline day.

Torreira has joined up with Diego Simeone’s side for 2020/21, where he will hope to get regular minutes again having been used sparingly at the Emirates in his second season.

The Uruguay international’s departure was arranged once it had become clear the player was not wanted by Arteta in the eyes of Ricardo Torreira, who is also the player’s agent.

He told Libertad Digital: “Lucas is honest and wants to leave his soul on the pitch, but that is defined by the coaches and for the current Arsenal manager he didn’t count.

“Lucas wasn’t on the bench because he wanted to be there, but by decision of his coach.

“For a 24-year-old boy, recognised in Uruguay and around the world, the most necessary thing is to play.

“Arsenal decided that he wouldn’t have minutes, but we promise, God willing, if everything goes well and if there’s a coach at Arsenal who loves him when his contract with Atlético ends, he’ll leave his soul there again if they want him.”

TBR’s View – Torreira seemingly has a lot of work to do

It can be taken from Ricardo Torreira’s comments that Lucas may need a big season if he is to continue at Arsenal beyond 2021.

It seems Arteta just didn’t fancy the £26 million South American (BBC Sport) in the end, which can be backed up by the lack of starts the player got under the Spaniard.

With Thomas Partey now an Arsenal player and Mohamed Elneny having turned a corner, Torreira looks like he’ll have a hard task convincing Arteta of his worth.