Jorginho says his Arsenal teammates can rely on him for another year of cuddles and words after he signed a new contract at the club.
While the Italy international isn’t the first name on Mikel Arteta’s teamsheet, the midfielder’s wealth of experience and leadership qualities have convinced the manager of his value to a young squad.
Indeed, should Mohamed Elneny, Cedric Soares and Thomas Partey leave Arsenal when the transfer window opens, the midfielder will start the 24/25 campaign as the only first team player in his thirties.
“I think they expect me to be who I am and who I’ve always been,” said Jorginho after confirmation of his new deal. “That means give my best every single day to everyone around the club, the fans, for everything that’s involved. That’s who I am.”
“I try to give everything I can of myself to everyone around,” he added. “Sometimes that can be a cuddle, sometimes it can be words, sometimes showing them something. I just try to help as much as I can in any situation. I feel that everyone here can count on me. I will always be there for them.”
Having signed from Chelsea in January 2023 – a deal that the Blues were more than happy to do – Jorginho’s consistent performances and calm head have struck a chord with Arsenal fans who were initially concerned he might be cut from the same cloth as fellow ex-Blue Willian. Unlike the Brazilian, he’s had no issue settling in north London.
“It’s been really positive, because I felt part of something big straight away,” he said. “I felt involved and really in a good place. It’s not always like that, so when you feel something like this, it’s something important.
“It means a lot [the connection with the fans] and that’s one more reason for signing the contract. I feel I can and want to give more to them because they’ve been giving a lot of support and affection to me.”
Having won Europe’s biggest honours with both with Chelsea and Italy, the player isn’t short of silverware. However, he still has one itch to scratch; a championship medal.
“That’s missing!” he said. “It’s something that definitely I would like to add to that list and it would mean a lot to me.
“I want to win as much as I can, and enjoy the moment because that’s really important for me. If you are somewhere where you are not enjoying it, or you are not happy, then it’s difficult. So moving forward is trying to be happy and achieve as much as we can.”
Love this! We need as much quality in depth as we can get for our prime years ahead.
Yeah, and it’s great to know that Jorginho did get that abacus surgically attached.
I really hope we keep Thomas P, he is absolute class and such a unique player. It’s worth the gamble on him staying fit and with him Jorginho and rice the 6 is well and truly covered with a better three than any other team.
When it comes to TP, I’m conflicted. His injury woes are most exasperating! We know how good he is. Baring generational talents like rodri or rice, no midfielder in the prem can hold a candle to TP on his worst day.
But each time he gets inexplicably crocked when we need him most and disrupts our momentum, the cost is usually huge. So a part of me says we should cash in on him this summer and get a younger, more durable, reasonably priced 6. A part says we should keep now that Jorgi is staying. Frankly I don’t know.
Good news, our deputy manager/solid midfielder in one package.
Good call! If Stuivenberg indeed leaves us to go home to Feyenoord then Jorgi might be closer to being Arteta’s de facto no. 2 than Carlos “cara de bebé” Cuesta, who he’s also three years older than.
Always loved the way that Jorginho communicates in interviews and content pieces – both style and substance. No doubt his trademark enthusiasm paired with his wealth of knowledge gained through experience comes through whenever he’s chatting with younger squad members on the training ground. He’s a real asset – a difference-maker in ways that us fans don’t even get to see, so I’m very pleased that we keep him for (at least) another season.
Fair assessment & to be honest I wouldn’t be surprised if he ended up being a good coach or manager sometime later in his career.
If 115 City end up winning can we all line up at Jorgy’s door for a cuddle?
Seriously though, I wonder if there is a bit of good cop-bad cop method going on?
I.e. manager loves the players but has to be tough and ruthless and goes over the top sometimes, so he keeps someone in the squad who is good at comforting and reassuring the players?
Arteta isn’t tough and ruthless ALL the time, plenty of footage of him showing players some luv and happy flowers… it’s all about balance. We all have all of those qualities within us and need to be treated in different ways at different times to get the best out of us. Toughness doesn’t mean you might not have a vulnerable moment where you need a cuddle, that would just be toxic masculinity and I’d be surprised if Arteta wants that sort of energy.
Yea I know all that bro, I was being a bit playful, guess it didn’t hit.
A good extension for me, he is a quality player. He actually reminds me of Arteta, when he was at that stage in his career with us, the legs might be gone a bit, but the brilliant footballing brain, positional awareness, passing range, leadership Quality and technical skills. Also like Arteta, the manager trusts him to deliver his tactical requirements on the pitch…I’ve seen him on the pitch, coaching, correcting positional mistakes, pushing them on when slacking, and comforting and encouraging team mates when costly individual errors have been made …you know he is headed to be a coach eventually,… Read more »
Mighty glad Jorgi is staying. A bit off topic… is there any truth to the reports that Szczesny could return if Ramsdale leaves? That would be massively popular with the fan base. He’s not going to set the world on fire but he’s still a relatively good goalkeeper and now more experienced than when he left us. Most importantly he bleeds red, Arsenal red. A true Gooner thru and thru
I think the Brazilian connection is strong with Jorginho. I’m sure he and his family work really well to uplift all those around him, simply to have good times and moments together.
If you ever find yourself stuck in the middle of the sea
I’ll sail the world to find you
If you ever find yourself lost in the dark and you can’t see
I’ll be the light to guide you