Man City have started to look like they’ll once again be the favourites for the title this season while from Arsenal’s perspective, Emery has made a solid start and could well get Arsenal back into the Premier League.
While much of the fanfare around City goes to their incredible attacking play, Fernandinho’s presence in midfield has been vital.
At Arsenal, Emery seems to have found his midfield battler in Lucas Torreira who at the moment, looks as though he could be a star for The Gunners.
Fernandinho
Signed from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2013 for a £30 million fee, the Brazilian midfielder has provided City with an essential shield in midfield. While the likes of David Silva, Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling go about tormenting defences, Fernandinho remains as the man to keep the play ticking over while also being able to break up the opposition’s attack.
Intelligent and underrated technically, Fernandinho is essential to City’s success and without him, Pep’s side would not be able to play the way it does.
At 33, City need to seriously think about finding his replacement. As it stands, there isn’t anyone who can play in his position.
A solid player and one that looks like a steal, Fernandinho is the underrated midfield master in a team full of attacking talent.
TT Grade: A
Lucas Torreira
Arriving for £26 million from Italian side Sampdoria over the summer, Torreira’s Arsenal career started slowly but over the last few weeks, the diminutive midfielder has started to establish himself as a crucial player for Emery’s side.
Arsenal have lacked a midfielder capable of putting in a solid defensive performance and arguably haven’t had one since Gilberto Silva left the club.
At just 22, Arsenal could have a midfield general that could hold down the midfield for years to come. He’s defensively aware, tough and can do a job in front of the defence. Importantly, he’s also allowed Granit Xhaka to improve. As it stands, Arsenal may have just pulled off their equivalent to the Fernadinho deal.
TT Grade: B+
The Verdict
Both City and Arsenal have two midfielders who are important to the relative success of their respective sides.
Fernandinho has been a constant presence in midfield for City and he allows Pep’s attacking players to go out and showcase their supreme talent.
It’s too early to put Torreira ahead of the City man but if he continues his level of play, we could well be talking about the next Kante.
