Wright urges Arteta to give regular role to underappreciated Arsenal star in last throw of the dice
Arsenal legend Ian Wright believes that manager Mikel Arteta should be making use of Jorginho more often as the end of the season approaches.
Jorginho joined Arsenal from Chelsea towards the end of the January transfer window. It materialised after they failed with a few bids to sign the younger Moises Caicedo from Brighton. That said, many viewed the addition of Jorginho as a useful one.
After all, this was a player of serious pedigree, who had won honours such as the Champions League with Chelsea. Therefore, with Arsenal in pursuit of the Premier League title, his experience was deemed to be beneficial.
However, Jorginho’s 10 Premier League appearances for Arsenal so far have been split equally between starts and substitute cameos. Arteta’s preferred pairing in midfield remains Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey.
But according to Wright, it would make sense for Arteta to call upon Jorginho more often.
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The former striker told Wrighty’s House Podcast: “We have recruited well and the guys have come in and scored goals.
“Can I just say something about Jorginho. I would really like to see Jorginho come in the team regularly now.
“I’m sorry, the way he controls the game for us with [Oleksandr] Zinchenko in there as well, once it gets to [Martin] Odegaard, the man is like an artist, he’s beautiful.”
Arsenal need to get formula right for final run in
Arsenal have four games remaining – against Newcastle, Brighton, Nottingham Forest and Wolves – in their quest to dethrone Jorginho’s former suitors Manchester City as Premier League champions. Hence, Arteta would be wise to consider any ways possible in which they can get the desired results, while hoping for favours from City’s opponents.
Jorginho is only under contract at Arsenal until the end of next season, although there is the option for the club to extend his stay by a further 12 months on top of that.
At the age of 31, though, it is unlikely he will be an Arsenal player for a long time. Paul Merson has even suggested that the Gunners could sell him as early as the next transfer window.
Besides, the club are looking to sign a younger option in his position in the summer, such as West Ham captain Declan Rice.
However, Jorginho can certainly be useful for Arsenal if they need someone who can look after the ball better, which is a key theme of how Arteta wants his side to set up.
