'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#4 Lucas Torreira (Arsenal)
The search for the new N’Golo Kante is something that a lot of clubs in the Premier League have been looking to achieve for a while. In the Uruguayan pitbull, Arsenal seems to have found the perfect one.
The 22-year-old was brought in from Sampdoria in the close season to join Unai Emery’s revolution for £26.4m. Due to his World Cup exertions, he did not start the first couple of games; the consecutive losses to Manchester City & Chelsea (he came on as a sub in both games).
He has been ever-present since then and is a big reason for why the team’s defensive record has improved. Playing in front of the defence and beside Granit Xhaka, his tackling, persistence, marking and intelligent use of the ball has allowed the forward-thinking players to flourish.
His tigerish tackling and hassling of the opposition have helped the Gunners win the ball back quickly. With him in the side and shorn of defensive responsibility, the likes of Mesut Ozil have been free to express themselves further up the pitch.
Gunners fans who remember the defensive shambles of Arsene Wenger’s final season will be praying that nothing happens to their new midfield lynchpin.
