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Arsenal legend hails Lucas Torreira as the clubs best midfielder since Patrick Vieira

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Lucas Torreira was exceptional for Arsenal against Spurs (Getty Images)

Martin Keown has hailed Lucas Torreiras north London derby performance as the best he has seen from an Arsenal midfielder since Patrick Vieira.

The 22-year-old Uruguayan was outstanding during Arsenals 4-2 win over Spurs at the Emirates and capped an all-action display with his sides fourth and final goal.

Torreira gained possession 12 times – more than any other player on the pitch – completed 90% of his passes and won three tackles to earn the man of the match award.

In his Daily Mail column, Keown said: He may stand just 5ft 5in tall but that was a massive performance from Lucas Torreira.

Torreiras goal sealed the win for Arsenal against Spurs (Getty Images)

It was the best all-round midfield display I have seen in an Arsenal shirt since Patrick Vieira and Gilberto Silva used to run the show.

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Torreira and Vieira could not be more different in terms of size and stature but their drive and determination is exactly the same.

From the first whistle the Uruguayan controlled the midfield. He was utterly fearless, demanding the ball at all times, always eager to snap into tackles and snuff out danger.

His tireless running gave Arsenal an extra body all over the pitch. You got the sense that if he could, he would happily do everyone elses job!

Despite being renowned for his ball-winning abilities, Torreira popped up with the crucial fourth goal after 77 minutes to all but end the contest and he was booked by Mike Dean for taking his shirt off in celebration.

It was a well-executed finish as Torreira latched onto a through ball from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang before coolly slotting the ball beyond Hugo Lloris into the bottom corner and Keown felt the goal highlighted his attacking qualities.

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Going forwards, Torreira also excelled. He reads the game exceptionally and when he gets on the ball, he uses it intelligently to feed the quality at the top of the team, he said.

His emphatic goal proves he is a mean finisher, too.

After being eased into the Arsenal team slowly by Unai Emery, coming on as a substitute in his first five Premier League appearances, Torreira is becoming an increasingly influential member of the side starting their last nine league games.

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Torreira has some way to go to emulate Vieiras accomplishments at Arsenal but following an excellent start to life at the club, he is certainly on the right track.