Arsenal news: Emery signed Torreira out of desperation, Liverpool wouldn’t have - Merson
ARSENAL boss Unai Emery only signed Lucas Torreira out of desperation and Liverpool would not have landed the Uruguay international, according to Paul Merson.
Arsenal's Lucas Torreira reveals he struggled to adapt to club
Arsenal boss Emery landed Torreira back in the summer with the Uruguay international touching down from Serie A side Sampdoria.
Despite a stuttering start to life in the Premier League, the midfielder has established himself as a Gunners favourite with a series of improved displays in recent times.
Arsenal fans are loving Torreira’s impact at the Emirates with many pundits also heralding the 22-year-old’s influence in north London.
Sky Sports pundit Merson, though, believes he was a signing born out of necessity.
And he also reckons Liverpool would not have taken a punt on him.
“Liverpool wouldn’t buy him tomorrow morning, I wouldn’t have thought any of the top four would,” he said.
“He could be playing at Southampton and wouldn’t get a mention, or Burnley. No-one would mention it.
“It’s just that Arsenal needed it so badly.”
Merson did go on to say, though, that Torreira had impressed for Arsenal this season.
Arsenal news: Lucas Torreira has impressed since Unai Emery secured his signature (Image: GETTY)
Arsenal news: Liverpool would not have signed Lucas Torreira, says Paul Merson (Image: GETTY)
“They've been crying out for someone like him since Gilberto Silva and Patrick Vieira,” he added.
“He gets around people, closes players down, gets everybody fighting. He's not a natural passer, but he sets the tempo.
“I've said all along, for years and years; Arsenal are one of the best teams in the world with the ball.
“But for the last four or five years they've been one of the worst in the world without the ball. He has changed that.
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