Any option other than Jorginho against Tottenham would be a mistake!
We’re currently at the height of the international break with the fixtures in full swing however gooners cannot take their minds off the team, with discussions aplenty pertaining to who’s going to partner Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard in the middle of the park against Spurs in our next game.
We were already aware of the injury to Merino before the Brighton game, however no one would have thought we’ll get to see another midfielder miss the spurs game.
We did however, with Declan Rice’s red card meaning that we’ll have a mini injury crisis in midfield ahead of the north London derby. Who will replace these two in that game has been a topic for debate among Arsenal fans with the likes of Havertz, Timber, Zinchenko and even young Nwaneri being mooted as potential replacement however the only player I think will be sensible to play in their stead would be Jorginho.
The Italian international has yet to play a single minute for us this campaign which has understandably led to him not being called up to the Italian national team this time around, he’s stayed behind getting more training time at the club so that he can be ready for the game against spurs (if in fact he does start). I believe he’s the perfect fit for this game amid the absence of key players because of the experience and composure he’ll bring to this type of game. A double pivot formed between him and Partey will also provide the necessary cover for our midfield, given that Jorginho doesn’t have the legs as Rice to get back and cover long distances.
Also his inclusion in the starting lineup against Spurs will be the only one that makes sense, given that firstly reverting Kai Havertz back into a midfield role will only do him worse given how he’s already nailed the striking position with some of the best displays in an Arsenal shirt coming in the Derby.
Secondly starting either one of Timber and Zinchenko would be an experiment too risky too use in a game of this magnitude.
Lastly I think it would be a mistake to use Nwaneri from the start, given he’s vastly inexperienced for a game of this importance, also we can’t risk it because a bad performance might damage him for life.
These reasons perfectly tell us why Jorginho would be the logical solution for the game, he was trusted at the base of midfield for most parts of last season and he repaid this trust by putting in solid performances most of the time, he should be trusted again versus Spurs in my opinion.
Do you think that Jorginho will be a better choice than the rest of the options at Arteta’s disposal?
KENNETH BENJAMIN.
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I think I’ll just hold on to my lack of logic and sense this time.
A midfield of Jorginho,Partey and Odegaard is lacking in legs and physicality. With Jesus likely to return before the derby, he can play at Centre forward allowing Havertz to drop deeper. One of our best games in the recent past was the pre season game against Leverkusen. Granted it was only friendly but Havertz was probably our best player in that game and he played in midfield. Leverkusen found it difficult to deal with the trio of Havertz,Jesus and Trossard.
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Agree with the article 💯%
to me iwas trusting nwaneri this would be his chance to deliver.
It’s a tough decision Arteta has to make shuffling the team. Let’s hope he make the right choices to win the game! The writer made a great case for Jorginho to start!
Jorginho will do a good job Partnering Partey in the midfield with Odegard. Harvest would be upfront as usual. I expect Hesus to come in somewhere along the line to change either Partey or Jorginho with Harvertz dropping deep into the middle. This has always paid off fir us.
Jorginho may well start, but not left attacking midfield #8, that will be Havertz for sure with Jesus coming back in at centre forward #9
if Jorginho plays then will be defensive midfield #6, Arteta trusts him for the big games
I THINK WILL BE PARTYB,GORGENIO AND ODIGARD,BUT WITH TIMBER FILLING THE INVERTED LEFT BACK POSITION,BECAUSE HE CAN STRENGTH THE MIDFIELD DEFENSIVELY AND OFFENSIVELLY.
If we play Jorginho with Partey, then we need to be extremely cautious in approach. To me, Ziny can play that left #8 and then we let Martinelli run at them at leisure.
Not sure why all the worry about Jorginho who is an experienced player and will be playing as first choice in many other big clubs. Arsenal fans tend to disrespect players as soon as the club buys another player. Arteta can choose to go with Zinchenko, Timber, Nwaneri or Jorginho for me all three are quality fill in players for that Rice role.
i think the concern is Jorginho at #8, especially if also starting Partey #6
Jorginho at #6 would be no problem, in answer to your point
but the pair 30 something legs together in midfield is a big risk that I don’t think Arteta will take
Jorginho played the left-sided AM role well and he’s our most experienced central midfielder, so he’d likely play there again if Havertz starts in the CF position
But I’d like to see Zinchenko there. I think he’ll play the role better than Jorginho, Havertz and Trossard
no Zinc in midfield for me, and certainly not Spurs away
The 30+ year old legs of Partey and Jorginho will be gassed and overrun when Postecoglu brings on fresh legs after 60 minutes. Spur’s manager uses ALL his 5 substitutions every game to ensure he has fresh legs for the whole 90. Spuds don’t have a great starting XI but they have depth and a manager that trusts his bench.
I would play Havertz there if Jesus is fit. Timber at LB will strengthen midfield as needed. There are other possible permutations but that would probably mean too many changes. Trossard or Sterling can play the false 9 for example if Jesus is not fit. I don’t doubt Jorginho’s ability to do a job, but 90 minutes? Whatever happens I believe this will be a game with a lot of rotation throughout.
Jorghino and Partey in a pivot in a 4-2-3-1 setup with Odegaard as a 10. This would be the safest in my opinion.
Odegaard freed up to focus on creating, and Partey & Jorghino pivot so they limit exposure. Jorghino lacks the legs, and Partey can’t play 90 min coving all the ground.
Interested to see the selections and setup.
there is no way Arteta is going to change from his tried and tested 4-3-3 system, especially for a 1 week suspension of Rice
secondly, Arteta very unlikely to start both Partey and Jorginho as it doubtful they can make the full 90 meaning a forced substitution and change to system
i think it will be Havertz at left #8 with Jesus coming in up top
I understand your concern, but Havertz has been average at best for us as a midfielder, and downright unbalanced at his worst.
Why displace your striker and gamble with him in the midfield, when you have a legitimate midfielder on the bench?
If Partey and/or Jorghino would struggle as you suggest, then why are they even in our squad?
Arteta’s tinker man experiments hardly ever pan out; remember Havertz in midfield, Partey at RB, and dropped Gabriel to play White at CB?
Absolute disjointed disaster, predicted by nearly everyone before the match even started. Why go down that road again?
Partey and Jorginho are in the squad to share DM #6 duties, one at a time is fine, but both together is a concern for me especially against energetic high press Spurs away
Havertz early days with us as left #8 were not great, however since then transformed, remember Arteta recently started Havertz at left #8 vs Leverkussen in pre-season and he was excellent with 2 assists in the first half
and played attacking midfield #10 for Germany on the weekend and was very good by all reports
Arteta played Havertz at left #8 recently for reason, both he can play it and the players around him benefit, contingency planning for exactly this situation
i think where fans differ from Arteta is Arteta trusts Jesus at #9 whereas fans don’t, so fans see Havertz moving back as leaving a gap upfront whereas Arteta doesn’t see it that way
Fair points you make. I would just add that I would rather see Trossard as a false 9 than Jesus start as striker. Remember the incredible form Trossard was on when he joined?
Then was inexplicably dropped so Jesus could start firing blanks again and the squad form dropped.
If Havertz goes in as the 8, then hopefully Trossard up top and Martinelli on the LW for his speed.
For me sterling can play on the right wing and Saka on the left wing and Harvertz false nine if Jesus is not available.
Trossard can be on the bench so long.
On the midfield, I go for Jorginho replacing Odegard, if trossard has to start, then he can play in midfiel alongside with Partey, Jorginho
Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Partey, Harverts, Gorginho, Martinelly, Jesus, Saka.