Mikel Arteta now told player Pep Guardiola loves could be vital for Arsenal vs Man City

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Arsenal are set to face Manchester City in a crucial Premier League title clash today, and there are several selection decisions to be made.

Mikel Arteta still has a few key players who are uncertain to make the game, with Gabriel Magalhaes, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli all missing training on Friday.

There are also decisions to be made in midfield, with Thomas Partey returning to full fitness, but Arteta should arguably resist the temptation to throw him in ahead of key veteran Jorginho.

The Italian has been outstanding in recent months, and it has now been highlighted why he could be Arsenal’s most important player for the Man City clash.

Jorginho could be Arsenal’s most important player in Man City clash

Speaking on the Arsenal Beat Podcast, journalist Mark Mann-Bryans claimed that Jorginho will be crucial for Arteta as he helps get the best out of Declan Rice, and his experience will be very important against Man City’s midfield.

“I think Jorginho has already shown what he can do in these big games, and I think he just gives Rice that freedom to do that, to push on, to not be worried about being that anchorman, which for the majority of the time in those last two England games he had to do, and it was a strange feeling to see him have to revert back to that role for England,” he stated of Jorginho and Rice.

“He obviously does that role really well, but he’s been let off the leash lately by Arteta, and if you can get Jorginho playing, you get some of the balls he plays over the top, and the way he can just dictate a game even against some of the best midfielders in the world.

“We know Guardiola is a massive fan of Jorginho, his links to Arteta stretch back to when he was at City and they were looking at potentially signing Jorginho.”

Jorginho a difference-making signing for Arsenal

Eyebrows were raised when Arsenal chose to bring Jorginho in from Chelsea in January last year, but he has now made himself an important player both on and off the pitch.

His experience and intelligence may lead to him becoming a coach one day, and Bryans has also highlighted how he is a player who can make a difference when hunting for major honours.

“Sometimes you make a signing and it’s not potentially as eye-catching as a £105m Declan Rice, but they are the kind of signings that actually get you over the line in title races, and winning trophies, and I think Jorginho is the epitome of that.

“I think potentially on Sunday, whether he’s on the pitch or not could impact on whether Arsenal can shake their hoodoo against Man City.”

Jorginho has excelled in big games this season, and helped get the best out of Rice with his excellent passing from the base of midfield, and is now a shoo-in to start at the Etihad.