Jorginho’s performance in Thomas Partey’s role has left us with many questions. Questions like, “Are the Gunners better off without the former Atletico Madrid man?” Without him against Chelsea and Newcastle, Arsenal’s midfield has looked in control, with Jorginho’s calm efficiency proving to be the missing ingredient in Arsenal’s 4-game winless run prior.
Arteta has been keen to play the 4-3-3 formation, where he has two No. 8s and one central midfielder playing the traditional No. 6 role. Thomas Partey has played that role well, but in recent weeks he was just not delivering; he struggled with tracking runners, had unstable distribution, and had lapses in concentration, which exposed Arsenal’s defence. This was highlighted in the 2-2 draw with West Ham, where his flick on the edge of the box led to a penalty for the Hammers. Partey’s culpability continued during Arsenal’s loss to Manchester City, where he gave Kevin De Bruyne the freedom of the pitch to conduct City’s 4-1 win.
After falling to Manchester City, Arteta tried to get his midfield in order, resting the formerly reliable Partey for Jorginho. The Arsenal No. 20 has now started Arsenal’s last two games against Chelsea and Newcastle, and honestly speaking, the former Blue has taken his chance to impress with both hands.
Unlike Arsenal’s No. 5, Jorginho has been a steady presence in the last couple of crucial wins for Arsenal, providing the team with balance in midfield. With Jorginho in front of the back four, Xhaka and Odegaard have been able to take more risks and be more creative in their play; the two have been “cooking.” Xhaka managed two assists versus Chelsea, while Odegaard managed a brace against Chelsea and a goal versus Newcastle.
Jorginho’s positional discipline and clever distribution have enabled Arsenal’s midfield to flourish. He has been a winner for Chelsea and Italy despite missing maximum power and recovery speed; his performances for Arsenal have made him look like a transfer steal.
This season, Partey has failed to live up to expectations when it mattered, begging the question: if Caicedo joins, could he easily snatch him his spot in Arteta’s starting 11 if Arteta doesn’t stick with Jorginho?
Of course there is also Arsenal’s ongoing links with a move for Declan Rice, who would definitely be a starter next season if he arrives, but the fact is that an increased squad is needed for the Champions League next season, so it looks like Arteta and Edu have got a few things to think about once the season ends, including a future plan for Fabio Vieira….
Questions, questions, questions!
Darren N
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Video – Mikel Arteta talks about the reasons Arsenal have dropped from the top, and addresses the question of if we “bottled it”
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What is the problem?
Only a few months back all the talk was that we had no cover for Partey.
Joghinho is 31, not going to play fifty games next season, even if he is first choice plenty of games for Partey.
Utter and complete nonsense.
If Jorginho was so good as the article is making him out to be. Chelsea wouldn’t sell him to us and not for that fee.
If he was that good, Chelsea would have been in a much better position on the table
If Jorginho was our starting DM since the beginning of the season, we definitely would not be where we are currently
And what’s all this bias about? Saka’s form has also fallen recently. Yet no one is talking about him being replaced completely. Partey is widely regarded as the only world class player in our team at the moment. He’s a key reason we’re fighting for the league. His injury last season ensured we capitulated.
Jorginho has been great recently, yes, and he should keep his starting spot for the rest of the season. But reconsidering Partey’s place because of a few bad games and worse still, considering Jorginho as our starting DM next season is shallow thinking
Until he came here, I always thought Jorginho was a bit of a non-entity, who could only scored penalties. However, he’s done great for us so far and I’m so happy he’s with us. It’s going to be for a limited period of time, but he’s been a worthwhile signing. Well done Mikel.
I’ve only said that he can’t be a replacement for Partey, not now, not ever like the article tries to suggest
You’re right, don’t see him being a permanent replacement but he’ll definitely do for now. Thomas has probably had alot on his mind lately !
Next season it’s going to be all-change again for various reasons.
Morning all
I personally think Party will be sold this summer as he currently comes with to much baggage at the moment
Wouldn’t surprise me is we get 2 qulity midfielders in but again depends on money
As for Jorginho. I am pleasantly surprised on how well he has slotted in to the team like most of our jan buys.
Heard he offers a lot more off the field as well with his experience, aptitude and guidance for the youngsters
Didn’t rate him that highly before he came but he has certainly changed my mind as haS xhaka this season and last
Chelski loose and our gain
May they continue to sink to the lowest depths of despair
Onwards and upwards… was really hoping I wouldn’t have to say the
3 to go and still in the hunt
upwards again this season
I agree!
Partey is a part of the team that made us lead EPL for many weeks. He just struggled sometimes when playing against big teams that play with almost flawless high-pressing systems
Arsenal just extended Elneny’s contract and Jorginho will have his second season, so we obviously will settle with three players for the CDM role
If Rice or Caicedo joins us, I bet they will rotate with Xhaka and Odegaard, unless Partey faces a legal issue
Jorghinho is a very capable player when he is in his comfort zone meaning when can he pretty much stand flatfooted in the same area of the field and doesn’t have to do much running, however when the pressure is on he needs players to protect and cover for him. Since he is on Arsenal’s books for another season Arteta should apply a horses for courses approach and use him wisely.
He ran further than anybody out other players at the weekend – 11km
Nabilo, before Jorginho came to us, I didn’t think much about him. Now I see how deceptively good and effective he a can be. I used to think of him as a Brazilian who could not get into the Selecao so became a member of the Azzuri. It’s possible I am wrong and that he has lived in Italy for a long time. Not sure because I know he has Italian ancestry. Anyway he was a good signing for us.
This is often overlooked. The idea that he is a player confined to a small area of the pitch is a bit of a myth.
However, it is true to say that he lacks the speed and athleticism of some other midfielders. Where he was sometimes caught out at Chelsea were when they lost the ball in transition. This would be a concern in the long run.
He’s the best of the pretty good bunch we have right now, but with Xhaka likely to leave (rumours of a homesick wife), and the possibility of another incoming mid or two, then we’ll be OK for next season, but Jorjinho will most likely revert to the squad and be used only when necessary.
He’s been good.
There’s always a lot of noise around a star player being dropped, but in this case, it’s fairly simple to understand why.
Partey has been in poor form, and considering he’s struggling to sprint, it looks as if he’s not even fully fit. Also, Arteta has proven he is not afraid to deal with big reputations.
Partey is still a fantastic player, but deserves to be dropped at the moment. He’s been far to cavalier of late.
We still do not have a box to box midfielder or what I used to refer to as a driving midfielder.
For me Caiceido (Ist choice), Onana (2nd choice) and Rice as third choice. Or if we are going for raw talent (not PL ready for 1 season) then Ahamada of Crystal Palace as long as he is purchased and loaned out to a newly promoted club for one season or a promotion hopeful in the Championship.
IGL ji,
is it you who brought up Ahamada before ? I’ve never seen him play. In fact most Palace fans have never seen him play for the first team. How do you know about him so well ?
Maybe I am older than you so you should refer to me as ji in future. hahahaha.
Yes EV ji
I did bring him up earlier. I only saw him a handful of times. He seemed to be physically right for the box to box role (as I saw it in the few times). A little less technical than our current team but can be moulded.
I also think Reiss Nelson can play the box to box role but do not think he is defensively suitable.
Darren,it may have escaped your notice but for a large proportion of the season, Partey has been terrific.Get off his back and stop overhyping Jorginho please.
Partey looked world-class or pretty close for much of the season, let’s not forget. We’ve had a fair few players hit a bad patch at the same time, very unlucky. Defensively we’ve been more than suspect, so I was glad to see changes both physically and mentally speaking
Partey is not Arsenal’s problem. Every player suffer a dip in form at one point during the season, for sometime this season Kevin Deybrune was on the bench for City, but he rested well and came back strong. Partey has been fantastic for 90% of the season. The loss of Saliba really disrupted the defensive rhythm of the team as a whole. It’s up to the team to have a suitable deputy for both Partey and Saliva at such a time.
Pls no to scapegoating of Partey.
Ramsdale has had some howlers too that has cost us points, Jesus has missed glaring scoring chances… It’s all part of the game, it’s a team sport. No player should be singled out for criticism, they have all done excellently well. COYGs
This is the right time to sell at a good price. We must be smart like Barcelona offloaded Auba.
One thing anyone who knows about football, is dont judge on end of season games. Partey has performed better than Jorghino but has hit a flat spot.
This is crazy Jorghino had 3 good games can this Guy so what partey Done over 30 plus matches? If We rely on Jorginho a full season we wold have been top 8 people forget to quick we need to buy new midfielders but partey is not our issue this period saliba have been gone Jesus have been gone and poor in front of goal holding couldn’t handle Haaland so the problem is not partey every midfielder would struggle playing with viera it doubles the load.
Joghinho has better skills and pass accuracy, hes only disadvantage is speed.