Arsenal midfielder Jorginho has revealed that Granit Xhaka kindly footed a dinner bill shortly after he signed for the Gunners despite the previously frosty relationship between the pair.
The Italian completed a deadline day move to the Emirates Stadium for £12m after leaving Chelsea. He has already enjoyed a positive impact in North London with his eye-catching shot in the closing moments against Aston Villa finding the net via Emi Martinez to secure a late victory.
The move to Arsenal saw Jorginho become teammates with a number of former rivals, having played in his fair share of London derbies against the Gunners. One of those is Xhaka, with the pair direct rivals in the heart of midfield over the last few years.
When asked whether he was happy to now be teammates with the Swiss midfielder, Jorginho had a simple answer and praised Xhaka’s kind nature off the pitch. The pair went out for dinner shortly after his switch was confirmed - the ex-Borussia Monchengladbach star deciding to pay.
Speaking to beIN Sports, the Italian said: “Yes, I’m happy. We had a few fights on the pitch before but outside of the pitch, he’s a really nice guy and we have good laughs now.
“Yes, outside of the pitch [Xhaka is different]. I asked him the other day where I could go for dinner around here and he booked me and didn't let me pay as well. I was like ‘Ok, thank you very much.’ [laughs]. So yes he’s a really, really nice guy and I’m glad I can see this other part of him.”
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Jorginho has now been an Arsenal player for just over three weeks and has only now detailed the exact reasons for ending his long and successful relationship with former club Chelsea - Gunners boss Mikel Arteta being the driving force.
“It’s [Arteta] one of the reasons, surely,” he confirmed to DAZN on Monday. “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.
“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.”
Jorginho and his new midfield colleague Xhaka will certainly hope to have an impact for the Gunners this weekend as they attempt to continue their push for the Premier League title. Arteta’s side return to the Midlands as they tackle Leicester at the King Power Stadium.
