Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Arsenal news: Is this the hint Lucas Torreira will start against Chelsea?
ARSENAL star Lucas Torreira could be set to start for the club against Chelsea this weekend.
The midfielder was signed from Sampdoria off the back of a strong season in Serie A and an impressive World Cup in Russia this summer.
Torreira only came off the bench as Arsenal were easily beaten by Manchester City on the opening weekend of the season.
But new boss Unai Emery has hinted the Uruguayan international may be ready to start from the outset against Chelsea this weekend.
“Yes, he is okay every day and is training good,” he told Arsenal's official website.
I want to continue with him improving and to be okay to play
“He is now with the team and knowing and learning English conversation with us and can understand all the things we want to do tactically on the pitch.
“He is okay, the first match against City he played 15 to 20 minutes and I think this is good, I want to continue with him improving and to be okay to play.”
Emery also has the likes of Mohamed Elneny, Granit Xhaka and Matteo Guendouzi to choose from in the middle of the park.
And the Spaniard explained which role each midfielder could play for his side this season.
“We can speak about the No 6, the No 8 and the No 10 [roles],” Emery added.
“Torreira today is a six, eight. Normally every player has two positions – Torreira is six, eight.
"Maybe also Elneny is six and eight.
"Xhaka maybe also six, eight.
"Matteo [Guendouzi] maybe six, eight or eight, six.
“Maybe another player, a more attacking player like Aaron Ramsey, he is more of an eight, 10 – but this possibility to play with two or three midfielders, it depends on each match whether to change or not and the demand in each match.
"Whether we can do one midfielder more either more attacking or more defensive, it depends.”
Emery is also facing calls to drop Petr Cech against his former side this weekend.
But the Gunners chief looks set to keep new signing Bernd Leno on the bench for another week.
“I am very happy with his performance,” said Emery.
“He has experience, he has quality, he has the capacity.
“Also, with Bernd Leno [it’s the same]. They are two goalkeepers who are important for us.
"They have different qualities but for us in the way we want to play, they can [both] play.
“For Saturday, the decision for me is easy.
"Petr Cech can continue to start the match, I believe in him. [But] If Bernd starts, I believe in him also.”