Arsenal supporters were more concerned with criticising Lucas Torreira’s choice of shirt number than celebrating his arrival last month.
Torreira decided to sport the No 11 jersey after being unveiled as Unai Emery’s fourth signing in early July.
The fact that a defensive midfielder had been awarded a squad number which is typically reserved for wingers did not sit well with fans.
But it turns out that the Uruguay international had a very good reason for specifically requesting that particular number.
“I wanted to choose the 34,” he told Sport890. “But it was already taken by [Granit] Xhaka.
“So I chose 11 because it’s my birthday and I will have the opportunity to sit next to Ozil in the locker room. My place is next to Mesut.
“It’s amazing – a player who was world champion and has had a great career.”
It’s clear that Torreira feels great admiration for the Gunners’ playmaker, Mesut Ozil, and is eager to soak up as much as possible from the now-former German international.
Ozil was the player who most recently sported the No 11 shirt at the Emirates but he decided to move to No 10 after Jack Wilshere’s departure to West Ham earlier this summer.
And fans have since changed their tune on Torreira’s choice of squad number.
https://twitter.com/PatrickTimmons1/status/1025353022837272576
Torreira chose #11 to sit next to Mesut in the dressing room, love him already. https://t.co/jDsJWY6x2Y
— Andy (@artetandrew) August 3, 2018
Torreira: “I wanted to pick #34 but It was already taken by Xhaka. I chose #11 because it’s the day of my birthday & I will get the chance to sit next to Mesut Özil in the dressing room.”
The lad knows who are the bosses . Good Lad.— Positively Granit (Blackburn George) (@arseblagger) August 3, 2018
Torreira: “I wanted to pick #34 but It was already taken by Xhaka. I chose #11 because it’s the day of my birthday & I will get the chance to sit next to Mesut Özil in the dressing room.” ❤️
— Afolabi Olatunji (@Tunegee52) August 3, 2018
Torreira is a fan of Ozil…..wooozaa. I like it….
— Phumielaw❤👌🔥💋 (@funmilaw) August 3, 2018
https://twitter.com/WeAreOzil/status/1025357760471425024
