Arsenal sent out a statement of intent by beating their Premier League title rivals Liverpool 3-1 on Sunday at the Emirates.
Before the start of the match, Mikel Arteta made some big calls, including playing Kai Havertz as a false nine instead of the injured Gabriel Jesus and bringing in Jorginho in the middle of the park.
It has been over 12 months since Arsenal signed the Euro 2020 winner, and during that period, he has had a mixed time of it.
But against the best team in England currently, Ian Wright thinks Jorginho proved his worth by helping his team ‘control’ the game from midfield, as he told Premier League Productions (04/02/24 at 7:20 pm).
As a result of that performance, the former striker would like the 32-year-old to ‘play more’, with only five Premier League starts to his name this term – Michael Owen hailed Gabriel Martinelli’s performance.
Mikel Arteta has had two regular men deploy the middle of the pitch – Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.
After that, it has varied, with summer signing Kai Havertz playing in there, most recently Emile Smith Rowe was given a run and now Jorginho was handed a chance.
But going forward, Ian Wright feels the £110k-a-week Italian is the man to start alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.
Jorginho’s performance against Liverpool
“What he brings, and unfortunately Zinchenko had to go off because, he alongside Jorginho, they are the ones who give us control in the game and the deep build-up,” said Wright.
“They are both very, very good on the ball. Not only are they good on the ball, but you see his (Jorginho’s) passing there when he is in the last third. His vision in these kinds of situations. He’s not afraid to pass those balls into those situations, so then we can create something.
“He is somebody I would like to see play more often because of that. He will do that. It’s what he can do, especially at home when we do need to have control and you need control against the Liverpool’s. You have to make sure that you get the ball and manage the tempo. He does that and he does it very, very well.
“He is good at tracking back. Closing down and interceptions. His dancing when he celebrates. When he comes in, he does that job because he is so experienced in doing it.”
From Premier League leaders to chasers
This time last season, Arsenal were leading the pack, and at times, by some distance, before they fell off and got eaten up by Manchester City.
For most of this current campaign, they have been chasing, and still are, which probably suits them.
It puts less pressure on the players and manager. Many are expecting them to collapse again, yet they are only two points off top spot.
All in all, chasing is a lot easier than sitting at the top by trying to maintain that lead, so this title race and Arsenal’s chances of winning it are far from over.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
