Mikel Arteta can spring a surprise on Manchester City by starting 31-year-old for Arsenal on Sunday

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Arsenal were disappointing in their Champions League defeat to RC Lens, and Mikel Arteta may be tempted to change his team up for Sunday’s huge match against Manchester City.

The Gunners were poor defensively and struggled to create against Lens, with midfielders Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard disappointing.

Given the magnitude of the Man City game, Arteta may choose to add extra protection in his midfield, particularly given the absence of Rodri through suspension, and with Thomas Partey returning to the squad on Tuesday, he could be tempted to throw him into the deep end.

However, an option which could surprise everyone, is 31-year-old Jorginho.

Could Jorginho start against Man City?

When looking at Jorginho’s strengths and weaknesses, a game against City normally serves him well.

Jorginho was at fault for Tottenham Hotspur’s equaliser in the North London Derby, after being physically outmuscled on the ball, and facing teams with a lot of size and strength in the middle of the park can sometimes be his downfall.

However, his strengths lie in his passing, awareness, and vision, and he could solve Arsenal’s creative issues, whilst allowing Declan Rice to push further up the pitch. He excels in slower games, and Arsenal’s recent encounters with City have resembled Chess matches more than the high-intensity games against the likes of Everton.

Jorginho was excellent in Arsenal’s League Cup victory over Brentford, and Pep Guardiola may not be expecting Arteta to throw a curveball and start the Italian on Sunday.

Midfield balance

With Rice playing alongside him to provide a physical presence, Jorginho can help Arsenal dominate possession against Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes, and having won a Champions League final against the same opposition, he has the temperament to lead Arsenal in such a big game.

Partey may not yet be fit enough to start, and Havertz has been disappointing in his midfield role. Fabio Vieira or Emile Smith Rowe could be options, but if Jorginho can perform to his best ability, he may play a crucial part in securing Arsenal’s first League victory over City since 2015.

His ability to progress the ball from deep areas could help Rice and Martin Odegaard find space in attacking areas, and if Arsenal win the midfield battle, they will back themselves to find a way to score.