Mikel Arteta wouldn’t be drawn on whether Arsenal are planning to extend the contract of midfielder Jorginho but the manager did reaffirm that he’s “really happy” with the Italy international.
The 32-year-old has hinted in the past that he’d like to finish his career in Italy but proved during Sunday’s win against Liverpool that he still has much to offer the Gunners.
Jorginho has made 38 appearances for Arsenal since making his surprise move from Chelsea last January. He was recruited to provide depth at a time when Mohamed Elneny was injured last season but has spent most of this year deputising for Declan Rice with Thomas Partey sidelined.
“I’m really happy with him, that’s all I can say,” Arteta said in his pre-West Ham press conference.
“The contract situation is more for Edu and the board to manage, but his implication (we think he means ‘application) and the capacity that he has in big matches to affect the game is tremendous and he was great against Liverpool again.”
Pressed again on whether the Gunners will activate the clause in Jorginho’s contract that would keep him at the Emirates for another 12 months, he replied:
“I’m really happy with him, that’s all I can say. And when we imagined what he could bring to the team and how he could make us better, he’s doing exactly that or even better. That’s it.”
Arsenal are unlikely to retain the services of Mohamed Elneny next summer and have also been looking for a buyer for Thomas Partey. Having sold Granit Xhaka last summer, it would make sense to keep Jorginho while adding another player in the middle of the park. If rumours are to be believed Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi tops the shopping list.
Jorginho for another year and Zubimendi would be absolutely awesome
Although, if rumours about Frenkie De Jong today are to be believed then that is the dream, right there
He always felt like he belonged with us. I imagine most players will be eager to get out of that hell hole.
He’s on stupid money there. But if he’s serious about his football he needs to get out of there, and I imagine there will be many inetersted parties (sadly City too)
But he’s a player I think would fit us beautifully, and hopefully he could feel the same about us as a club
City are, to a degree, victims of their own filthy lucre – why would any ‘starting’ player go there to join the queue of options they already have?
Join an upcoming team – with a young, dynamic manager, who’re fighting for titles in the PL and in Europe… why wouldn’t you?
Can’t underestimate the lure of playing for Pep, and guaranteed trophies… However, will Pep still be there after next season? That’s got to be a consideration. And if the club become more likely to be charged.
We’ve got a project that players will be/are dying to join
I think any player now signing know the end of their dominance in near. I think haalabd is the last of the big names to sign
Why wouldn’t they? Because, money.
I agree with the players wanting to move where the money is most lucrative. When there clubs moved to a mercenary model , why should the mercenaries swear fealty? a man from Argentina’s pampas doesn’t have anything at stake in London red or blue. It’s just another gig.
I always think in those terms too but I often question how much players know (or care) about the state of clubs they’re pushing for moves to. There’s still no shortage of players keen on Chelsea or Barca or Utd. There will still be players wanting moves to other clubs who have trouble meeting payroll. It feels like many players understanding of clubs is frozen in time, most likely from the time they went from childhood fan to pro. I doubt most players are tracking the comings and going, cultural changes and financial state of European clubs. In some cases… Read more »
In fairness, we competed with Citeh for Dec Rice and came out on top because we were the club Dec Rice wanted to come to. That’s the type of player I want to see us sign.
Speaking of which, I don’t understand the eagerness to sign Toney. Terrible attitude with very little sell on value. Watched him the other day, dude was practically walking. Would not press zero marking zero defensive cover.
And I thought “I don’t want him in my team”. Chelsea can have him.
Sounds like he will stay for another year… And I hope he does!
We need depth in the squad and he’s all about control and passing, not speed, so his age and lack of speed as he ages further doesn’t seem like a negative to hold onto for another season at least.
But keen to see who we sign at next transfer!! Exciting to see the squad build and progress over last 2 seasons! It’s so nice to fight for titles again.
I think he means implication.
Yes, I thought that too, not application but maybe in French sense, think in English it would be more like ‘involvement’?
He means impact
Jorgi has won just about everything in his career, but not the Premier League title. I think that we’ll be close this season and with another summer of transfers on board we should have an excellent chance again next season. He’s been a surprisingly good addition to the team, both as a player and a person, and I’d like to see him succeed with us. To keep him for another year is a no-brainer, surely.
There’s a thought – him lifting the trophy with the mighty Arse, rather than the Chavs.
Jorginho is an excellent player and probably alongside Tomiyasu is the only player I see as a genuine rotation option rather than a backup. Elneny and (hopefully) Partey will be off this summer and if Jorginho stays I wouldn’t be overly worried about replacing either based on this season.
I don’t think Arteta was being coy–he always says that issues like that are for Edu. Then he says that Jorginho is doing exactly what was hoped for (or better) when he was signed. He’s all but saying–we will keep him if he is willing to stay.
Jorginho should stay for one more year, at least.
For next season, release Elneny. Sell Partey and Nketiah.
Keep Nelson, ESR and Vieira.
Buy a winger on the right who can also play through the centre. Buy Zubimendi or someone else like him.
Defence is sorted unless Kiwior and Ramsdale go, then we replace them.
Martin Zubemendi?
Just throw it in there Blogs, and watch the scrambling by everyone onto google etc.
You’re good…… and , a bit mischievous 😏
Well we have a minimum of 17 games left, possibly 22, across the league and champions league – doesn’t sound like a lot but you can see why jorninio says to take it one game at a time!! I wonder whether blogs will do an article on the run in for the three teams primarily in the race? Would be interesting to see 👍