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Arsenal camp buzzing after ‘canny’ Jorginho addition

By Ritayan Chatterjee on February 3, 2023

Arsenal camp are reportedly excited following the deadline-day acquisition of Jorginho from Chelsea, as per the transfer expert David Ornstein.

The Gunners wanted to strengthen their squad in the recently concluded January window in order to keep their momentum going and continue their title charge during the second half of the season.

Mikel Arteta’s side purchased Leandro Trossard and Jakub Kiwior to bolster the attack and defence respectively early on in the window but left it late to reinforce their midfield department.

Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo emerged as the primary target to strengthen the engine room and Arsenal made two official proposals worth up to £70m to lure the Ecuadorian to the Emirates Stadium. However, the Seagulls rejected both bids and refused to let their star man leave mid-season.

This situation forced the Gunners to explore alternative options on deadline day and they ended up signing Chelsea star Jorginho – who had entered the final six months of his contract – in a cut price £12m deal, including bonuses.

Speaking on The Athletic Football Podcast, Ornstein has revealed that there was scepticism about signing Jorginho due to his age after what happened with David Luiz and Willian when they arrived from Chelsea a few years ago, but the north London club believe the Italian is a ‘canny signing’.

The journalist further states that Arteta is a big admirer of the midfielder and he tried to sign him for Manchester City when he was Pep Guardiola’s assistant before the midfielder’s switch to Chelsea. The Spaniard also previously made a failed attempt to sign the 31-year-old after taking charge at the Emirates Stadium.

Excitement

Ornstein also adds that after knowing that Arsenal were set to sign Jorginho this winter, the players and the support staff delivered positive responses about their new signing as they know how much quality the former Napoli man possesses.

Ornstein said:

“They certainly think this is a canny signing. There was an initial scepticism on the basis of his age which is a throwback to Arsenal signing others from Chelsea like Willian and David Luiz in a time where they were not so good.

“Arsenal liked Jorginho. Mikel Arteta was a part of the Man City hierarchy that tried to sign him from Napoli. Arsenal then tried to sign him a few years ago. We’ve seen him embracing Jorginho as he’s left the pitch in the past. We know he’s a high-level player.

“When the news started to filter through to the playing squad and staff it generated a really positive response because players and staff know quality players. The view was that he has a fantastic technical level and tactical level, and vast experience.”

Jorginho is a deep-lying playmaker who is technically sound and can play threading passes between the lines. So, he is a perfect option to play in Arteta’s possession-based style of football.

Jorginho’s addition will help Arteta to rotate his midfield options and keep them fresh throughout the rest of this season which will help them in their quest of winning the title and achieving success in the Europa League as well.