New Arsenal signing Lucas Torreira has revealed the reasoning behind why he chose to wear Number 11 for the Gunners this season.
The Uruguay international completed a £25million switch from Serie A side Sampdoria last month, and was given the opportunity to pick his preferred choice of shirt.
Despite eventually electing for 11, the 22-year old midfielder originally wanted Number 34, however that number is currently occupied by Granit Xhaka.
Following Jack Wilshere’s departure to West Ham, Mesut Özil decided to trade in his Number 11 jersey for the now vacant Number 10, which played into Torreira’s reason for picking his shirt.
While it lines up with the Uruguayan’s birthday (February 11), Torreira claimed that being able to sit next to Özil was a major factor. Talking to Sport 890, as reported by MailOnline, Torreira said:
I wanted to pick 34 but It was already taken by Xhaka.
I chose 11 because it’s the day of my birthday and I will get the chance to sit next to Mesut Özil in the dressing room.
It’s incredible when you go to the dressing room and see your locker is glued to that of Mesut Özil who is a world champion and a player with a fantastic career.
