'What number will I wear?': £26m player reacts on Instagram after Arsenal give his shirt away
Lucas Torreira has had his say after Arsenal announced that the Uruguayan’s number 11 shirt will now be worn by Gabriel Martinelli.
The Gunners released their home kits for the 2022/23 season today. The famous red and white now has a zig-zig pattern on the collar, and the design has divided opinions on social media.
One thing most Arsenal fans have agreed upon is Martinelli’s number change, which some feel is long overdue.
Lucas Torreira reacts as Gabriel Martinelli takes over his number 11 Arsenal shirt
Arsenal signed Torreira from Sampdoria for £26 million (BBC) in the summer of 2018, and he was handed the number 11 shirt after Mesut Ozil took over the vacant 10 following Jack Wilshere’s departure.
Torreira has spent the last two seasons out on loan. He won the league with Atletico Madrid last season, while he’s had a very impressive campaign at Fiorentina this time around.
After the Gunners announced on Instagram that Martinelli is the club’s new number 11, Torreira joked that he doesn’t have a number to wear at Arsenal next season.
“What number will I wear next year? Good luck amigo @gabriel.martinelli. I love you,” the Uruguayan wrote.
The Uruguayan is set to leave Arsenal
It hasn’t really been a secret that Torreira has no future at Arsenal, but the Gunners’ decision to give his shirt number away and his comment on Instagram makes it clear that he’s off.
Fiorentina have the option to make Torreira’s loan deal permanent this summer and they are expected to do just that. The Uruguayan is set to complete his move to Florence in the coming weeks, and that’s the best thing for all parties involved.
It really is a shame that things didn’t work out for Torreira at Arsenal. He was absolutely incredible in his debut season at the Emirates, but Unai Emery’s decision to play him in a more advanced role in the following campaign completely killed his confidence.
The 26-year-old never really recovered from that, but it’s good to see him doing so well at Fiorentina and for his national team.
- PHOTO: ARSENAL UNVEIL NEW HOME KIT FOR 2022/23 CAMPAIGN WHICH WILL BE WORN AGAINST EVERTON ON SUNDAY
