Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka believes that Lucas Torreira has given the team a better balance between defence and attack since breaking through into the starting eleven.

The Uruguayan started the season on the bench with manager Unai Emery opting to start youngster Matteo Guendouzi instead, but the midfielder has now started the last four league games for the Gunners.

Xhaka thinks his own game has improved as a consequence of Torreira’s inclusion, allowing him to play further forward and get on the ball more:

“Lucas gives us good balance in the team between offence and defence. He lets me play my game with the ball and go a bit more in front. I am happy with him.”

“You can see that he’s important for us because he’s strong in defence and in duels. He can play easily from side to side and going forward, he helps with our balance.”

The £26m summer signing from Sampdoria has won all five of the games he has started for the club, with the team having conceded just twice since his first league start against Everton last month.

At 22 years of age, he is a player that has time on his side to improve even further, and he could be a mainstay of the Gunners’ midfield for many years if he continues on his current trajectory.