Arsenal midfielder Jorginho has admitted to three key reasons being the driving force behind his decision to quit Chelsea to complete a move to the Emirates Stadium in January.
The Italian became the Gunners’ third addition of the winter transfer window in the closing hours of deadline day. Arsenal paid £12m for the former Napoli star’s signature with the 31-year-old putting pen to paper on an 18-month deal with the option for a further season.
His move across the capital brought Jorginho’s long and successful association with Chelsea to an end after four-and-a-half years. He became a pivotal figure at Stamford Bridge having helped the club to the Champions League, Europa League and more.
Three weeks after sealing his move across London, Jorginho has now opened up on the reasons behind pursuing a switch. Having fallen down the pecking order with the Blues, the Italian admitted that the prospect of regular football was too good to turn down alongside the chance of playing under Mikel Arteta.
As quoted by DAZN, Jorginho said: ‘It’s [Mikel Arteta] one of the reasons, surely. He called me and it was all very quick, we made the deal in less than 48 hours.
“I had spoken to Chelsea and I knew I was no longer part of their plans. I wanted to progress in my career and the Arsenal project suits me.
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“It’s a young team that plays good football and fits my characteristics. I considered every scenario and made the decision. Sometimes you must accept when you are out of a project and that things come to an end.”
Since sealing his move to Arsenal, Jorginho has enjoyed a bright start to life with the Gunners. He made his debut as a substitute in a defeat to Everton before being granted his first start against Manchester City nine days later.
He was pivotal to the North London side getting their title charge back on track against Aston Villa at the weekend. His shot in stoppage time hit the bar and then found the back of the net via a touch from former Arsenal goalkeeper Emi Martinez.
New teammate Aaron Ramsdale has already been full of praise for the Italian for the impact he has had upon the side despite his brief spell so far. Speaking about Jorginho and Oleksandr Zinchenko after the victory in the Midlands, the Gunners’ goalkeeper said: “These are people which us young boys can tap into their minds. They have won major things and, when we have had a tough week where we lost, it could be quite easy for some of us young boys to feel nervous.
“That’s probably what it was in the first 45 minutes maybe. We just got told to go back to basics, play our game, and that’s what happened.
“It’s good for them to get on the scoresheet, Alex [Zinchenko] needed to after the first goal. You see the passion which those two show and with only being at the club for a month and six months. It shows what group we’ve got.”
