BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks hailed an outstanding performance from Lucas Torreira after Arsenal extended their unbeaten run at the weekend.
The Spurs-supporting ex-striker compared the Uruguay international to Gunners great Emmanuel Petit following Saturday’s 1-0 win against Huddersfield at Emirates Stadium.
Torreira scored the game’s only goal with a spectacular bicycle kick to end a tremendous week for Unai Emery’s side.
“I had the pleasure of being in the company of David Miliband recently, and sadly was forced to spend some of the evening having to talk about Arsenal,” Crooks told the BBC Sport website as he named Torreira in the BBC Sport team of the week. “He wanted to know about Lucas Torreira. I told the former foreign secretary that Torreira was the difference between Arsenal and Spurs in the recent derby and has the drive and influence of an Emmanuel Petit.
“Torreira’s performance against Huddersfield was once again in that class. I got the feeling that the CEO of the International Rescue Committee quite enjoyed pointing out to a former Spurs player that he was actually an Arsenal supporter.”
OPINION
Who can blame Miliband for wanting to talk about Torreira? He is the name on the lips of every Arsenal fan following a series of outstanding displays in the heart of the midfield. Pint-sized he may be, but the 22-year-old has the heart of a lion and the influence of a giant as he becomes one of the key players in the new-look Gunners side that are starting to look a world away from the flaky sides of the end of the Arsene Wenger era. It took a handful of matches for Torreira to establish himself in the starting XI at the start of the season, but now the south American has an iron grip on one of the central midfield slots. Used alongside Matteo Guendouzi and Granit Xhaka in a central three against Huddersfield, Torreira was everywhere – winning the ball, intercepting, launching attacks, distributing efficiently and careering into the box. A second consecutive weekend ended with him scoring the match-clinching goal following a brilliant finish. What a talent.