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Mikel Arteta thinks one Arsenal player did something ‘nobody expected’ on Saturday

Photo by David Horton - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by David Horton - CameraSport via Getty Images
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Arsenal produced a superb performance on Saturday evening, beating Brighton and Hove Albion 3-0 at the Amex Stadium.

Arsenal watched on as Manchester City beat Crystal Palace early on Saturday, teeing up a huge game on the South Coast.

The Gunners had some trouble with Brighton last season and fans would have been fearing problems again.

Arsenal were outstanding though and took the lead when Gabriel Jesus was brought down by Tariq Lamptey inside the Brighton area.

Bukayo Saka stepped up to fire home and Arsenal found a second after the break with Kai Havertz scoring from close range.

Havertz then sent Leandro Trossard clean through on goal against his former club, adding gloss to the scoreline in a huge 3-0 win for Arsenal.

Arsenal got their business done in style, keeping a third Premier League clean sheet in a week.

Brighton & Hove Albion v Arsenal FC - Premier League
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Mikel Arteta hails ‘superb’ Arsenal star

Arsenal’s second goal came in rather surprising circumstances.

The man breaking into the box to pick out Havertz wasn’t Bukayo Saka, it wasn’t Martin Odegaard, it wasn’t even Declan Rice.

Instead, it was Jorginho who broke who forward and found former Chelsea teammate Havertz to score.

The Italian isn’t exactly known for rampaging into the box and we are much more accustomed to seeing him dictating the game from deep.

Jorginho made his impact felt though and boss Arteta has moved to praise his impact.

Arteta has told Arsenal’s official website that he felt Jorginho was ‘superb’ and ‘outstanding’ alongside Rice and Odegaard.

Arteta added that nobody would have expected Jorginho to pop up with the assist for Havertz’s goal, but that is just an example of the quality he provides.

“He was superb,” said Artea. “And as well, I think nobody expected him to run into those areas with the ball to assist Kai but I think his leadership, his intelligence, the quality he delivers, I think it makes everybody better. I think today he, Dec and Martin in the middle were outstanding,” he added.

Jorginho has really helped Arsenal

Arteta has tinkered with his midfield at times this season, sometimes using Rice deep and bringing in Havertz or Fabio Vieira in an advanced midfield position.

Jorginho came into the side for the 4-1 home thrashing of Newcastle United and he just hasn’t looked back.

The 32-year-old has provided an outstanding base for Arsenal’s midfield, allowing Rice and Odegaard to go forward and thrive.

Maybe this is the formula Arteta has been seeking for his midfield and it’s difficult for Thomas Partey to get back into the side even now he is fit again.

Jorginho deserves his spot in the side and having won the European Championships with Italy three years ago, he will be desperate to add another trophy to his record with Arsenal.