Arteta: Torres has been treated unfairly

Sep 28, 2012 6:30:00 PM

The former Everton man and friend of the Blues forward says the ex-Liverpool player has been under huge amounts of pressure following his British transfer record move to London

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta has defended the current form of Chelsea striker Fernando Torres, saying the Spain forward has been treated unfairly ahead of their London derby.

The Blues visit the Emirates sat at the top of the Premier League table, with Torres netting two goals in the league so far. The £50 million man has come under fire for some bad displays, but his friend and compatriot says that the striker is under huge pressure to try and live up to that price tag.

"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.

"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.

"And obviously 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. For a striker it is tough."

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