Considering how long Arsenal have waited for a player to take command of the vulnerable spaces in front of their defence, it is little surprise how quickly they have taken Lucas Torreira to their hearts. The diminutive midfielder has become such a catalyst to the way they play he already feels indispensable, totally at home at the heart of Arsenal’s game, covering ground, snapping into tackles, always looking to pass the ball onwards with efficiency.

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Motivation comes easily to him. It was part of his upbringing in Uruguay. “This is a great challenge and a new challenge for me,” he says. “I’m the kind of person who likes to fight for these things, to always be fighting my way up, like my dad always tells me. I am so happy. I’m getting to know London and taking on the challenge of learning English so I can communicate with my team-mates. That’s something that’s not only important for football but also for life.”

If he is content with his Arsenal experience, the feeling is certainly mutual. The supporters serenade him to the tune of the song they once reserved for Patrick Vieira. It helps that the surnames rhyme but that is not a chant they would bestow on another casually. The words in this case are simple but effective: “He comes from Uruguay, he’s only five-foot high.” Torreira is thrilled with it. “It’s a beautiful thing,” he says. “It fills me with so much pride every time I go on to the pitch and they sing for me or applaud me for what I have done. I appreciate it.”

Considering how Arsenal’s defence was not their strongest department last season, and how shakily it handled trying to transition to the style of playing out from the back in the early weeks of Unai Emery’s guidance, it is no coincidence that the team has started to function more effectively with the influence of Torreira patrolling in front of the backline and Bernd Leno sweeping behind. Both have shown an ability to be tidy in possession with the ball at their feet. Torreira’s control in small spaces stands out.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Lucas Torreira tackles Cristiano Ronaldo during Uruguay’s 2-1 win over Portugal in their World Cup last-16 match. Photograph: Odd Andersen/AFP/Getty Images

Although he had to wait patiently for his first Premier League start after his summer move from Serie A and Sampdoria, he has settled in to make a substantial difference. “What I have seen in my short time here in England is that the football is much more intense, much more physical. It takes only three or four passes to create a goalscoring opportunity,” he says. “That’s not the case in Italy, where it’s not so open. The game there is very tactical and there is very little space to receive the ball.

“At first everything was new for me. It’s a new style of football. It’s different and so are my teammates but it’s about always fighting for it and working day after day. I am listening a lot and learning with the help of my teammates and all the people in the club – the technical staff have helped me to grow. It has made me feel really comfortable with the team.”

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He looks so natural taking care of business as the midfield shield, which emphasises how swift he has been to learn in that this is a relatively new position for him. He arrived in Italy at Pescara as a playmaker or attacker, only to be converted, and has enjoyed the responsibility of his new task.

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“I was lucky to find a coach who put me in a more defensive position and I am totally happy in that role. I try to learn every day. Obviously I want to have fun playing with my teammates, to get things going and to help us win – as we have been doing. Always lending a hand, sacrificing in defence and in attack, I am available to the team, always helping. The most important thing for me is try to bring balance to the team, to help the defenders and support the midfielders, to try to help the attackers and to be constantly trying to help in ordering that.

“They are small things out there but in the end they make a big difference.” With that sentence Torreira could actually be describing himself.