BRAIN POWER IS JOR DROPPING
HARRY PRATT
BY MIKEL ARTETA has called Arsenal midfield general Jorginho “one of the most intelligent footballers” he has ever coached. Which is some statement, given the many illustrious names the Gunners supremo worked with during three-and-half years as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City. David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Vincent Kompany, Bernardo Silva...the list goes on. Yet Arteta, discussing how Jorginho (below) took it upon himself at Villa Park last weekend to deliver instructions from the bench – while the manager served a one-match touchline ban in the stands – claims few possess the Italian’s all-round intellect.
Arteta, whose side host Brighton this afternoon, said: “He is one of the most intelligent players I have coached.
“The detail he can go into, to understand what is happening in the game – and how to correct it.
“And, then, how he can attract the attention of his team-mates to listen to him and do what he’s telling them to do is really impressive. You also use him when he’s on the bench – like another coach. It’s great he is living the game.” Responding to Arteta’s glowing praise, the 31-year-old former Chelsea man, a £12million buy last January, said: ‘’Yes, I think my brain is one of my biggest strengths. “Because of all I’ve learned from over the years, I try to pass this to the boys and help them grow – and to understand the game better. “If you improve one, two, three percent, you add to the team and, in the end, get closer to winning.” Jorginho should know. In 2021, he scooped the Champions League, the Euros, the World Club Cup – and third place in the Ballon d’or. However, making up for last season’s agonising Premier League heartache is the priority right now.
In April, Brighton hammered the penultimate nail into the Gunners’ title coffin, with a crushing 3-0 romp at the Emirates.
The north Londoners have recovered relatively well since. Unbeaten at home this term and again challenging for the title.
Arteta added: “The margin was none that game. Losing any points and the title was almost over. Now, the situation is very different because it’s still a marathon to go.
“It’s been more than a change in mentality for us – it’s an evolution.”