Arsenal midfielder Jorginho has been in the spotlight for all of the right reasons in recent days.
Jorginho produced a masterclass of a midfield display for Arsenal against Liverpool on Sunday.
In what was only his fifth Premier League start of the campaign so far, the 32-year-old helped Arsenal to dominate the game against Jurgen Klopp’s league leaders. He was composed in possession, tireless in his pressing, and constantly well positioned to help break up Liverpool attacks.
Jorginho put in a player of the match performance against Liverpool, reminding everyone of his quality in the process. This game also provided proof that he and Declan Rice are well-suited to forming a very impressive midfield partnership together.
Rice’s physicality and athleticism offsets some of his veteran teammate’s shortcomings in that regard. Meanwhile, the former Chelsea man is a more progressive passer of the ball than Rice, and his tactical aptitude allows him to ensure that Mikel Arteta’s gameplan is being accurately administered on the pitch.
Arteta certainly values what Jorginho brings to the Arsenal squad, having previously described the player as being one of the most intelligent he has ever worked with.
Arsenal hailed for brilliant Jorginho business
The signing of Jorginho in the January of 2023 may not have seemed like a particularly inspired move at the time, but the Italy international has now been credited with having proven a lot of Arsenal fans wrong about him since then.
Journalist Mark Mann-Bryans certainly thinks that Jorginho was an excellent buy. Speaking on The Arsenal Beat podcast, he said, “he’s one of those smart signings, isn’t he? He’s what I’d almost deem a title-winning signing.”
Arsenal paid a club-record £105 million fee to prise Rice away from West Ham United in the recent summer transfer window. That has to be considered money well-spent, as he has been in sensational form for the north London club this season.
However, the fact Arsenal picked up Jorginho from Stamford Bridge for just £12 million should not be forgotten, and must be deemed an absolute bargain now. It certainly will be if the Gunners do go on to be crowned champions this season.
That being said, the in-form midfielder’s future at the Emirates Stadium is far from certain. He is currently set to become a free agent this summer, though Arsenal do have the option to extend his contract for a further season. There is now increasing clamour for the club to take up that option and keep Jorginho around for longer.
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