Lucas Torreira has already established himself as something of a fans' favourite at Arsenal.

One of a number of shrewd signings made by Unai Emery this season, the Uruguayan was purchased to add the kind of physicality that had been missing from the midfield under Arsene Wenger.

Gunners quickly became thrilled with footage of Torreira jumping into tackles headfirst (literally) at the World Cup and simply loved his work-rate off the ball

However, the transition to life in the Premier League certainly wasn't the smoothest and his first five appearances for the club all came from the bench.

Playing behind 19-year-old Matteo Guendouzi can't have been easy during the early games, but now Torreira has began to establish himself in the Arsenal team.

Torreira vs Leicester

Emery started him in the midfield for the recent game with Leicester City, which Arsenal won virtue of a brace from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and a Mesut Ozil strike.

The performance of Torreira slipped under the radar, though, and Evening Standard journalist Tony Evans was one of few to completely focus on the midfielder.

He delivered his verdict on Torreira's display on the night and also his time at Arsenal so far. It made for eye-catching reading - so check it out below.

Journalist's interesting verdict

"It’s been a slow start for the 22-year-old. Torreira perhaps enjoyed his post-World Cup rest a little too heartily," Evans wrote.

"Size is important in English football but N’Golo Kante has shown that mobility is more crucial than bulk. Torreira, with his unathletic shuffling gait, did not cover enough of the pitch.

"In the first half against Leicester last night, Torreira looked off the pace. It was almost halfway through the first half before he won his first challenge.

"He sprang to life in the second half. He began to get further up the pitch and make more of an impression at both ends.

"Torreira used space more effectively and found more energy, dispossessing Jamie Vardy with a sharp tackle. As Arsenal imposed themselves, so did the midfielder.

"Torreira was bought to break things up, though. He needs to get a little fitter and faster to give Arsenal what they really need."

They'll be plenty of Arsenal fans who disagree but it goes to show Torreira needs to make plenty of adjustments.

Considering the hype around the 22-year-old when he signed for the club, the lack of conversation about him is certainly been unexpected.

Then again, his performances in an Arsenal shirt haven't set the world alight so far and rival midfielders will be eyeing up his position on game-weeks to come

It's still early days for Torreira and there's every reason to suggest he can turn things around, but he's not quite the midfield destroyer fans thought he would be.

What do you think of Torreira so far? Have your say in the comments section below.