Arsenal played their final home game of the season at the weekend. While the fixture carried no direct jeopardy, winning was still a key priority, both to maintain runner-up ambitions and to restore pride against a Newcastle side who have proven problematic in recent meetings. The Gunners did secure the three points, drawing the curtain on what has ultimately been a heartbreaking campaign at home.
With a summer clear-out on the horizon, the match may have marked the final Emirates appearance for several squad members. For two players in particular, it was a confirmed goodbye. Jorginho and Kieran Tierney will both leave the club when their contracts expire at the end of the season. Fittingly, both were given the opportunity to feature one last time at the Emirates as second-half substitutes.
Jorginho’s short but steady spell draws to a close
Jorginho joined Arsenal in January 2023 from Chelsea in a deal reportedly worth £12 million. The experienced Italian midfielder will depart the club having made 79 appearances across all competitions, ahead of the final game of the season. In that time, he contributed two goals and three assists.
A composed presence in midfield, Jorginho brought leadership and calm under pressure, playing a valuable role in supporting younger players and helping maintain structure during key fixtures. He will now join Brazilian side Flamengo on a free transfer, bringing his time in North London to an end.
Tierney exit stings for fans but feels inevitable
Kieran Tierney’s departure, meanwhile, will hit harder among the Arsenal faithful. The Scottish international will also leave on a free, returning to Celtic, the club from which Arsenal signed him in 2019 for £25 million.
Tierney arrived injured but quickly won fans over with his aggressive defending, work ethic, and attacking contributions from full-back. Over six seasons, he made 143 appearances, scoring five goals and delivering 12 assists.
Despite his quality, recurring injuries hampered his ability to hold down a regular place in the team. More significantly, Mikel Arteta’s tactical shift to an inverted left-back role did not suit Tierney’s natural style. The manager’s preference for players more comfortable drifting centrally ultimately limited Tierney’s minutes, leading to his departure despite remaining a fan favourite.
As cited by Arsenal.com, the Emirates crowd gave both players a warm reception, recognising their contributions and commitment to the badge.
As the pair move on to new chapters in their careers, Gooners will wish them all the best. Once a Gunner, always a Gunner.
Regarding Kieran Tierney’s departure, have Arsenal made a mistake by letting him go? Thoughts down below please Gooners.
BENJAMIN KENNETH
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Every time one reads these reviews, For some reason one always gets the impression that we’d rather lose Partey than Georgino.
Anywhere, it’s good that both are leaving …. we going to have a rejuvenated midfield next season.
In my opinion, we have made a mistake regarding Tierney.
His attitude, commitment, professionalism encapsulated what I would like all pro footballers to have.
But it’s his play as a proper defensive full back that we will miss and have to replace.
I watched the two Newcastle full backs contain both Saka and Martinelli with comparative ease – no inverting nonsense or overlapping BS, just proper full backs nullifiying two top level wingers.
I can’t remember Kieren ever being outclassed and he seemed to have an understanding with Martinelli that we haven’t seen with any other player.
I was so proud and pleased with the reception he and Jorginho got when they came on.
I wish them both the best in the future and, living in Scotland, I hope to see Kieren play with his beloved Celtic… who I do not support!!
Once a Gooner always a Gooner Mr Tesco 👍
Ken1945,
With regards to Tierney, I whole heartedly agree. What a consummate professional he is. After being constantly overlooked, he didn’t moan he just knuckled down and trained hard and was ready if he ever got the call. Sadly for him, Arteta’s obsession with this inverted rubbish just stifled a player who is a top class left back. And Celtics gain is Arsenal’s loss sadly.
All the best Tierney, and just an after thought. You may actually win some trophy’s🏆 now. Who’d thought. 😂🤣👍😉
The reason why Saka and Martinelli were contained was because they had two players on them every single time, not really because of the fullbacks per se. The 3-4-3 formation meant Newcastle had numerical superiority out wide.Saka, for example, was constantly marked by both Dan Burn and Livramento. Martinelli had Murphy and Schar. If they only had to deal with their fullbacks it would have been a different story.
I think Tierney leaving is sensible for two reasons. For one, I think he wants to play regularly and that is possible in a less physical league.Secondly, he’s an injury prone player. Yes he’s been fit throughout this season but that is probably because he hasn’t played much. I doubt anyone can confidently say Tierney can play ten consecutive 90 minute games without getting injured.
Onyango,
You question Tierney’s fitness record. But correct me if I’m wrong, but Zinchenko and Calafiori aren’t exactly injury free for long are they.
Zinchenko is injury prone as well and I’m sure the club will move him on. Calafiori is different because he was always available for Bologna last season. The best ability is availability and that is why I’m for moving on from players like Zinchenko,Tomi,Jesus and Tierney.
If that was the case Onyango, why didn’t we score more goals, if Saka and Martinelli were pulling their CB’s out of the middle?
Saka, in particular, didn’t take his full back on once that I can remember and Martinelli never lost his full back, even when he tried to best him for speed.
Both players have been more effective when actually facing two or more defenders in previous games.
Both full backs just waited, didn’t dive in, matched them for speed and came out on top in 95% of the duels.
Ken that’s a good question. In a 3-4-3 system, two centre backs are fairly wide so it’s not like they are being pulled from the middle. Many times Saka was surrounded by Dan Burn, Livramento and Gordon who was tracking back as well. This already is a 3 v 2 situation.
Saka is clearly not back to his best yet after his long term injury, just like White. Add that to the fact that they facing a much fresher Newcastle side.
This game simply highlights the deficiencies in the squad. Newcastle having more numbers out wide theoretically would make them have fewer players centrally, opening up the centre of the pitch. We simply don’t have the player(s) to stretch the pitch centrally. Newcastle also had more legs and athleticism with Bruno and Tonali in midfield. By contrast, we only have Declan as the guy with legs. It’s not a coincidence that he’s the one who scored. And he scored from a central area when Newcastle players were drawn out wide towards Saka and Odegaard, allowing him the space and time to shoot.
Interestingly, the game changed in the second half because of the runs Calafiori was making centrally, committing Newcastle players. It gave them problems and changed the game. What they did to address the Calafiori problem was to invert Livramento into midfield (interestingly the tactic you rubbish) to give them more numbers centrally.
And that 95% duel success you mention is not just a statistical absurdity, but also not true. The player with the best duel success rate was Bruno Guimaraes at 72%.
I listened to a charming interview with Tierney. What a well rounded person he is. I hope his current fitness remains and he can get fulfilment back in Scotland
Can’t fault Jorginho either. A classy player who wore the captain’s armband from time to time
Was that the interview on Taks**e SueP?.
If it was, I agree 100% as I listened to it on the way home yesterday.
I took Jon Fox and your recommendation about this station and started listening again.
From 10.00 till 4.00 is really good, but that twerp Goldstein after that has got me turning it off.
If I wanted to listen about manure every day, I’d probably stay tuned, but he comes across as an unwashed bully, who loves the sound of his own voice!!
Goldstein and Darren Bent are trashy. Jordan and White with guests and Hawksbee and Jacobs after lunch are top drawer. Hawksbee is also a comedy writer and so quick witted. The only downside is he is a Spuds fan
They also get decent live sports coverage on match day. It is much improved from the days of Mike Parry and Alan Brazil
I think it was the interview. I do believe I saw a live interview as well. Just a really nice young man
SueP, I must say that when I used to listen to that station, Hawksbee and Jacobs were quite entertaining.
‘ Unwash bully, who love the sound of his own voice ‘
Never herd this one before, 🙂
He changes his position like a cat on a hot tin roof
Have a look at him Gunsmoke, I don’t think he ever brushes or combs his hair.. But it’s his incessant droning about manure that turned me off him.
He’s one of those presenters who thinks he knows it all, but when confronted and challenged, continues to speak over one and does not allow anyone to answer a question or put over a point of view different to his! 😡