The Arethusa class fulfilled a useful role as a cheaper alternative to the Leanders. La Argentina showed that a related hull could carry triple turrets and achieve greater gunpower. Retaining twin turrets, however, made ammunition supplies last longer and left more internal space for other stores and equipment. Those savings helped the British ships operate farther from home. Reducing the gun count was therefore a defensible trade for the duties expected of these small cruisers.
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Arethusa traded gun count for endurance and space
Twin turrets gave Arethusa less firepower than a triple-turret alternative but prolonged ammunition supply and freed space for distant operations.