02 February 2023 , 18:41
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Mikel Arteta's long-standing admiration for Italian midfielder Jorginho is well-documented and the Spaniard is now finally all set to work with him.
The Arsenal boss was very keen on the idea of Manchester City signing Jorginho from Napoli in 2018 while Arteta was operating as an assistant coach to Pep Guardiola, but the midfielder ended up at Premier League rivals Chelsea instead. Five years later and plenty has changed since that transfer saga.
For starters, Arteta is of course now a manager in his own right and has guided the Gunners to the top of the Premier League table, five points clear of nearest challengers and former side City. Jorginho is now both a Champions League and European Championship winner.
At long last, the pair are united with Arsenal confirming Jorginho as a deadline day arrival from Chelsea; albeit to a mixed response from their supporters, who were holding out for a mega-money move for Brighton star Moises Caicedo.
But they shouldn't be too concerned, Arteta's affection for Jorginho should mean the Gunners boss has a perfect plan on how to deploy the 31-year-old Brazil-born technician. With that being said, it may be a little different from the way he would have used him had he got his hands on Jorginho back in 2019.
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Speaking to Marca, the former City assistant explained: "Our position has changed. There are teams that want to play with a single defensive midfielder. Not City. Other teams, that role is not as defined and we are losing the idea of having one who plays there; the Jorginho or [Sergio] Busquets type, that I love."
Jorginho has long been a transfer target of Mikel Arteta's (Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! How will Arteta choose to deploy Jorginho? Comment below
Arsenal have made huge strides this term allowing Thomas Partey the freedom to operate alone in the traditional number six role at times this season, with Granit Xhaka enjoying success further forward as a 'left eight'.
However, while the Gunners signed a midfielder with a view to having them deployed as back-up to Partey if Arteta's worst fears were realised and Ghanaian picked up an injury, it seems unlikely that Jorginho will play a similar role to Arsenal's number five.
The Italian lacks the kind of physical presence required to play as a lone six in Arteta's current system and in turn, Xhaka may be forced to reduce the amount of progressive runs he makes to ensure Jorginho isn't left exposed in transition.
There is mutual admiration between player and manager, with Jorginho telling Arsenal's official website: "He was a big influence because I know that he tried a few times to get me before and it didn’t happen due to other reasons, not because of my wishes. So of course, he had a big influence."