Supporters online have begun to argue that Italy international Jorginho should be starting for Arsenal, even if coach Mikel Arteta had all of his players fit and available to him.
Jorginho, who joined Arsenal in a €14m (£12m) deal from Chelsea in January 2023, largely featured as a rotation option in the first year of his spell in North London, but has started both of The Gunners’ last two Premier League matches in the absence of Thomas Partey.
On Monday night, he started in his natural deep-lying midfield role in the 6-0 hammering of struggling Sheffield United in the Premier League. It was the same story for Arsenal’s 4-1 victory over Newcastle at The Emirates the weekend prior.
From his 65 minutes on the pitch against Sheffield United, Jorginho recorded 59 successful passes with an accuracy of 92%, a percentage only bettered by Kai Havertz of all the midfielders and attackers who started.
The 32-year-old also won all four of his duels on the ground, made two successful tackles and added an important interception to his collection of impressive stats from Monday night’s game.
After full-time against Sheffield United, popular fan channel AFTV and its founder Robbie Lyle suggested that Jorginho should be starting for Arsenal, regardless of the other options available to the coach.
“If Thomas Partey’s fit, does he get in right now? The way Jorginho’s playing, I don’t think he does,” Lyle suggested.
Arsenal will have to play 2022-23 treble winners Manchester City away at The Etihad Stadium at the end of March.
When asked who should start at the base of Arsenal’s midfield against Pep Guardiola’s side, Lyle said: “Right now, it’s Jorginho.
“If they’re both fit (and if the game were) tomorrow, it’s Jorginho. Chelsea, thank you again,” he joked.
“When I look at their midfield and I’m looking at Jorginho, I’m like ‘you guys should have kept him’, you know what I mean.”
Should Jorginho or Partey start when both players are fit? 🤔#PlayerRatings pic.twitter.com/P73M28gQtU
— AFTV (@AFTVMedia) March 5, 2024