Mikel Arteta stuck with his midfield from the win over Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday in order to face the far tougher test of Newcastle on Sunday afternoon. Jorginho maintained his position in the starting XI over Thomas Partey who for so long seemed an undroppable figure.
However, the Ghanaian has experienced some difficult fixtures in the middle of the park, particularly against West Ham and Manchester City which Arsenal dropped points in. Jorginho’s return to face his former side demonstrated the composure that had been lacking for some time and it was again evident at St James’ Park.
The Italian was signed to many supporters’ frustration after sporting director Edu Gaspar’s primary plan to try for both Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo failed to materialise. However, the swift pivot to the now former Chelsea man before the window closed has proven a smart move which consolidates the success of Leandro Trossard and now the late-season bloomer, Jakub Kiwior.
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Jorginho now has the chance to consolidate his place in the team for the final three games of the season against Brighton, Nottingham Forest and Wolves. However, when asked about his establishment in the team and pushing Partey to the bench Jorginho told football.london humbly that he and his midfield partner simply offer different options to Mikel Arteta for varying opponents.
“I think we are two different players that can adapt for the coach in different games. I think the coach has two good choices and depending on what game, and what type of players he wants on the pitch.
“The only thing we can do is be ready when he needs us and give our best to help the team.”
This is particularly interesting considering many wanted to see the athletic Partey return for the Newcastle test. It seems mobility is often discussed as a limiting factor in a player’s characteristic base.
This does not seem to be the case however for Jorginho. His reading of the game and positioning allow him to offset what he perhaps lacks in speed.
Even then, he was seen sprinting back in transition at a comfortable pace. I like to discuss this perception of speed as the ‘FIFAfication’ of football, where more and more young fans playing video games reliant on players for speed in their teams apply the same to real life.
Pace is indeed a good trait for any player to have, but the intelligence of an individual can outweigh this considerably. For Arteta, as his midfielder describes, Jorginho offers the Arsenal manager an option that perhaps he lacked prior to the January window in the deep midfield role and one which the club seemingly want to reinforce more in the summer with football.london’s understanding of now priority target Rice still in the crosshairs and Caicedo not off the radar either.
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