5 things Arsenal fans need to know about Lucas Torreira as midfielder closes on Emirates switch

Arsenal have agreed a £26million deal for the Uruguayan international Lucas Torreira, according to Mirror Football. What is Torreira's background? Born in Fray Bentos, Uruguay, Torreira played in his homeland until the age of 17. He represented local clubs 18 de Julio and Montevideo Wanderers before being snapped up by Italian side Pescara, who flew him over to join their youth team. After spending a year playing with the youngsters, he got his first-team debut the next season, before becoming a regular the season after. It was enough to earn him a move to Sampdoria in 2015, where he has been a staple of the starting XI over the last two seasons. How did he do last season? Torreira made 36 appearances in Serie A last season - every single one of them being a start. Goal and assist stats are never going to be rosy given that he is a defensive midfielder, Wait... he's only 5 foot 6? Torreira's very much a pocket rocket - but don't let that deceive you. Torreira is of a similar ilk to N'Golo Kante when off the ball. He uses his size to his benefit, becoming a nuisance at the feet of his rivals. Arsenal are used to utilising players slightly smaller in, so he should fit in no problem. Is he at the World Cup? Torreira only made his international debut in March but is tipped to be one of the major successes of the tournament for Uruguay, who sit in the favourable Group A. Whether or not he will start the opener against Egypt is another matter, but he's the man they will call to on the bench if the need to firm things up in the middle of the park. Will he fit into Unai Emery's system? Unai Emery has made it clear that he wants to play a system is built on high pressing off the ball - which should work perfectly for Torreira.

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