£110k-a-week Arsenal man explains touchline antics and future plans

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Arsenal midfielder Jorginho has explained his touchline antics and coaching ambitions.

At 31-years-old, Jorginho is in the twilight years of his playing career. The Arsenal man is already considering what he might do after he finally decides to hang up his boots. 

One route Jorginho could go down is the one previously trodden by Mikel Arteta himself. The Spanish coach was an Arsenal midfielder himself in his playing days, and now manages the north London club.

Jorginho certainly seems to have a natural aptitude for coaching. Even now, he can regularly be seen instructing his teammates from the touchline whilst he is warming up as a substitute.

Acknowledging this habit, the £12 million former Chelsea man admitted on Colney Carpool, “I just can’t hold it. I want to help somehow when I’m on the sidelines or warming up or from the bench, I just try and help the team somehow.”

Arteta himself is likely a fan of Jorginho’s touchline coaching. He will want his players to take responsibility for things, and Jorginho can also act as a conduit to relay his own messages and tactical directions onto the pitch.

Jorginho still important to Arsenal as a player

When asked if he wants to move into coaching at the end of his playing career, the 48-cap Italy international said, “maybe, to be honest, I thought it could maybe be a good option for the future. But I always thought I don’t want to because just playing is already so busy and to be a coach, it is even busier.”

“I always thought I didn’t know, but now I get to my age, so maybe I’m changing my mind. I’m enjoying it, it’s nice.”

In the meantime, though, Jorginho will be fully focused on playing for the Gunners. Although he isn’t a regular starter, he still has a crucial role to play in this squad. He showed with his performance against Manchester City last time out that he can still shine up against top quality opposition, as he brought a much-needed measure of calmness and composure to proceedings in the middle of the park.

The £110,000-a-week veteran is going to play a big role for Arsenal on and off the pitch this season. Plus, even at his age, he could still have years left in him before he needs to seriously consider retirement.