Arsenal’s surprise January addition Jorginho has now opened up on why he chose to leave Chelsea in the middle of the season to don the Gunners’ reds. While Mikel Arteta’s title chasing side was hotly pursuing a deal for Brighton Moises Caicedo, offering a package in the excess of £80m, it was Jorginho who finally arrived on the deadline day in a £12m deal. Although the Gunners went against their recently adopted policy of recruiting younger prospects by signing the 31-year-old, there’s no arguing that it has short-term perks.
After losing favour at Stamford Bridge, Jorginho immediately green light his shocking transfer to the Emirates on deadline day. Chelsea had paid British transfer record £107 million for Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez, which further pushed Jorginho even further down the pecking order. The veteran midfielder is now hoping to help Arsenal win their first Premier League title in 19 years.
I wanted progress – Jorginho on joining Arsenal from Chelsea
Jorginho was a vital element of ex Chelsea coaches Maurizio Sarri and Thomas Tuchel, being an integral part of the latter’s Champions League-winning team. However, under Graham Potter, he was given only a supporting role. The former Napoli star, who wasn’t willing to take second place to the young Argentine Enzo Fernandez, knew his time was up after Chelsea shattered a couple of transfer records to buy the World Cup winner.
And the prospect of playing for Mikel Arteta, a manager who has made no secret of his admiration for the player who has been a contentious figure during his time in England, and having the chance to compete for the Premier League title proved to be too good an opportunity to pass up. Jorginho said that the Gunners’ manager was one of the reasons he decided to join Arsenal in his first interview since moving across the capital. He told DAZN:
“It’s one of the reasons, surely. He (Mikel Arteta) called me and it was all very quick, we made the deal in less than 48 hours. I had spoken to Chelsea and I knew I was no longer part of their plans. I wanted to progress in my career and the Arsenal project suits me.
“It’s a young team that plays good football and fits my characteristics. I considered every scenario and made the decision. Sometimes you must accept when you are out of a project and that things come to an end.”
However, Jorginho experienced a turbulent start to his career in north London as Arsenal’s lead at the top has shrunk to just two points despite having a game in hand since the Italian joined them, as losses to Everton and Man City and a draw with Brentford followed. But Jorginho then helped Arsenal in a 4-2 comeback win over Aston Villa on Saturday, a victory that might prove to be crucial to the Gunners’ title charge.
With just a few seconds left on the clock, Jorginho’s first-time effort from the edge of the box cannoned off the woodwork and struck Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez before finding the net, sending the away supporters into a frenzy and giving Arsenal a 3-2 lead. His teammate Gabriel Martinelli made sure Arsenal departed the West Midlands with all three points, as the Brazilian quickly added a fourth on the break.