Why Jorginho should be used more by Mikel Arteta

After missing out on Moises Caicedo in January, Arsenal quickly pivoted to Jorginho, with his experience deemed a key asset for a young team chasing a Premier League dream, and it’s time Mikel Arteta used it.

On Friday night, Granit Xhaka was a surprise omission from the starting XI and was replaced by Fabio Vieira, whose inexperience, light frame and lack of bravery impacted Arsenal’s ability to control the game and set the tempo.

While he may be more of a modern six, few players on the planet can set the tempo like Jorginho, and with Thomas Partey being asked to drop deep to help Rob Holding, he would have been the perfect player in that situation.

Not many in the Arsenal squad have the CV Jorginho has. He has won almost everything in the game and can draw on that experience when things aren’t quite going right.

Why Jorginho should be used more by Mikel Arteta

Those tough moments are when experience really shows. With 151 Premier League games under his belt, Jorginho has shown he can deliver in the Premier League, and that experience should not be discounted, even if mobility is an issue at times.

With William Saliba out, Arsenal have a problem controlling games as Holding can’t do what the Frenchman has done all season, and a double pivot could be the way of stabilising a destabilised team.

If Xhaka is out, Jorginho has to be that player. He is always available to receive the ball from his teammates, which his average of 57 touches a game shows and he completes an average of 41 passes per game, showing he is a secure option in possession.

But it’s his off-the-ball strength that is key. Jorginho reads the game as well as anyone, finds positions that create favourable angles for his teammates to safely make passes, reduces the distances between players, and is constantly directing and coaching on the pitch.

Security is key. Right now Arsenal need a level head. The team has shown it has the quality, but they are having a wobble, and their inexperience is showing. Jorginho can provide what the team is missing in that sense, while also offering a deceptive level of creativity with his trademark chipped passes.

Against City, Arsenal need every ounce of experience, and Jorginho brought that when the sides met in February. His services may be required on Wednesday night.