Arsenal travel to Vicarage Road next weekend to take on Watford and the Gunners fans have been urging Unai Emery to drop Granit Xhaka for this match.
Xhaka was responsible for gifting the second goal to Spurs during the North London Derby thanks to his clumsy tackle on Son and most people feel Granit Xhaka should be dropped to the bench vs the Hornets and hand Lucas Torreira a start instead.
And this might very well have been the case but now it looks like Lucas Torreira has picked up an injury during Uruguay’s game vs Costa Rica in the international break.
The midfielder started the game for Uruguay but suffered a knock and was taken off right before half-time.
While there are no official reports regarding the extent of his injury but right now there are rumours that Torreira might not be fit enough to start vs Watford which means Granit Xhaka would keep his place in the starting line-up.
And apart from this, the way Unai Emery chose to defend the Swiss international it seemed as if the manager still very much trusts the midfielder’s abilities.
“In 90 minutes I am very proud of his work. Some mistakes we can have and I want to use to progress and improve,” Emery said(as reported by Football London).
“There are more positive things collectively, individually and also with Xhaka for me.
“The penalty is really one action that is very disappointing. He worked very well. He played very well.
“If we won the match maybe we’d speak about the mistakes less.
“Really there were two mistakes in the first half and they scored two goals. We spoke about that in the dressing room and we learned for the second half and after we were continuing getting in their boxes, taking corners and shots.
“We didn’t get the efficiency for scoring the third goal but I think we deserved it.”
VERDICT:
Arsenal take on Watford away from home and the Hornets will play their first match under new manager Quique Sánchez Flores which is why we feel Unai Emery will not be ready to tinker with his line-up.
Hence even if Lucas Torreira is fit enough to start the manager will opt to start the match with Granit Xhaka and Matteo Guendouzi in central midfield with the Uruguayan coming on in the second half.
