One player had Arsenal fans talking during the Gunners’ duel with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
After losing to West Ham at the Emirates, Mikel Arteta made just one change to his starting XI, axing Thomas Partey to bring in Jorginho.
Fans were relieved to see Ethan Nwaneri start following an injury scare, with the Gunners continue to make what they have available count.
Despite Arsenal having a very slim chance of winning the Premier League, Arteta was clear that he’s not ready to give up on the dream, starting with the clash at the City Ground.
With second and third place in action, the Gunners faced Forest away from home in a bid to replicate their home result against Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, seeing one player make the headlines.
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Arsenal fans spot Jorginho impact in midfield
As mentioned, Arteta made one change to the starting XI that was beaten by West Ham, with Jorginho coming in to replace Partey.
The decision was a puzzling one given the physicality in Forest’s midfield however, the reasoning behind the Arsenal manager’s tweak quickly became clear.
Jorginho made his presence known in the early stages of the game, seeing Arsenal fans flood to applaud the Italy international on social media.
“Look at Jorginho quickening up our play,” an impressed Arsenal supporter said, as many others agreed when noticing the midfielder’s impact.
“Jorginho is such a calming presence very brilliant on the ball,” a fellow fan said.
What Jorginho doesn’t offer Arsenal is a physical presence in the middle of the park is made up for with his ability to dictate the game.
“We play soooo much better with old man Jorginho in the team than Partey,” a fan posted on X, as another suspected that Declan Rice relishes playing alongside the Italy international.
“I get the feeling Rice prefers playing alongside Jorginho,” they said.
Arsenal appeared to have lined up differently in midfield, seeing two holding midfielders in support of the creative trio of Martin Odegaard, Leandro Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri.
One supporter suggested that Arteta was giving fans a glimpse of what to expect next season as the Gunners prepare to welcome Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.
“Rice and Jorginho double pivot working well. Seems like a demo for Rice-Zubimendi if that deal does happen.”
While the 33-year-old’s performance at the City Ground had fans applauding him, it wasn’t forgotten that Jorginho is expected to leave Arsenal at the end of the season.
With regard to the midfielder’s contract situation, one fan pleaded, “Arsenal please give Jorginho one more year.”
It was no surprise that Arsenal ticked better with Jorginho starting alongside Rice, as dictating the tempo is something that the ex-Chelsea man is celebrated for.
“Jorginho is so intelligent,” a supporter in awe of the veteran star said, with the verdict on the Italian very clear.
Jorginho’s next steps are unclear
It was a bold decision for Arteta to start Jorginho against Forest, in what was only his sixth start of the Premier League season.
Game time is limited for the 33-year-old, as it appears that his future in North London is in doubt with his contract set to expire in the summer.
Jorginho has been linked to Juventus most recently with a return to Italy a possibility but, other destinations have been pondered, including a move to Brazil.
It remains to be seen where the Premier League star’s future lies, with Arsenal enjoying what they have left with the prized midfielder on side.
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