GUNNERS LIFE IS ‘BEAUTIFUL’ FOR JORGINHO
JORGINHO has called Arsenal’s title challenge this season a “beautiful journey” after signing a short-term contract extension at the Premier League leaders.
The Italy midfielder, 32, joined from Chelsea for £12m in January 2023 on an 18-month deal.
And the Champions League winner has been an important influence on and off the pitch to convince the Gunners to take up the option of another season.
Jorginho, who has made 35 Arsenal appearances in this campaign, said: “I’m really, really happy to stay, because it’s a privilege to be a part of this family.
“The way I felt involved and how I felt really in a good place.
“It’s not always like that, so when you feel something like this, it’s something important.”
Arsenal reached the last eight of the Champions League for the first time since 2010 before losing to Bayern Munich.
And they lead Manchester City by a single point going into the final fortnight of the season, although the defending champions have a game in hand.
Brazilian-born Jorginho added: “I’d say we are enjoying it because it’s a beautiful journey.
“It’s a special moment, a special thing we’ve been doing, and I think we need to push and enjoy every day.
“To be where we are, we worked hard. So much! We did so much and we need to be proud of what we’ve been doing.
“We need to trust what we’re doing and believe it.”
Manager Mikel Arteta (inset) was pleased to get the deal over the line.
He said: “We’re delighted that Jorgi has signed a new contract with us.
“Jorgi is such an important part of our team, a role model with great leadership skills and a unique playing style ability which makes everybody better around him on the pitch.
“We’re very pleased that Jorgi and his family have committed with us and we’re all excited to continue this journey together.”
Jorginho won Euro 2021 at Wembley with Italy along with the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award and a third-place finish in the vote for the Ballon d’Or.
On his future hopes for Arsenal, he added: “Win as much as I can, enjoy the moment because that’s really important for me. Because if you are somewhere where you are not enjoying it then it’s difficult.
“So moving forward is trying to be here, happy and achieving as much as we can.”