• Premier League

Arteta: Torres treated unfairly

ESPN staff
September 28, 2012
Fernando Torres has endured a turbulent time at Chelsea © Getty Images
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Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta has been angered by the pressure heaped on Fernando Torres' shoulders since his move to Chelsea.

Torres has failed to consistently come close to his best form at Chelsea, having moved from Liverpool for £50 million in January 2011. He has been heavily criticised in the media and, at points last season, his confidence seemed to have drained away on the pitch.

However, he seemed to have turned a corner at Euro 2012 as Spain walked away with the trophy, and his performances in the early weeks of this season have been encouraging, leading Arteta to publically back his countryman.

"I don't like the way he has been treated because I have known him since we were 16, 17 and I really appreciate him," Arteta told Arsenal's official website ahead of the game with Chelsea on Saturday.

"He is a friend of mine. Obviously, football is like that - it doesn't matter what you have done in the past, it is only what you have done in the last few weeks.

"He has been criticised. Mentally he is a really strong guy even if someone doubts him. When you play as a striker and they pay £50 million for you, you are under huge pressure. "When the ball isn't going in the net, it is even more difficult because people always look at that. For a striker, sometimes it is not fair. For a midfielder or a defender it is a bit easier to adapt."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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