In the recent North London derby, Arsenal experienced a rollercoaster of emotions, ending in a 2-2 draw that felt more like a defeat. Fans and team members were left dejected, and the disappointment was exacerbated by the performance of a certain Arsenal player. This player, earning a hefty £110,000 per week, had an underwhelming game, garnering fewer touches than goalkeeper David Raya.
Bukayo Saka was a standout performer for Arsenal, opening the scoring with a deflected effort. However, the team struggled to maintain their electrifying start. Heung-min Son equalized for Spurs, and Saka netted another goal from a penalty, only for Son to equalize again, ultimately securing a point for Spurs.
A significant turning point occurred when Arsenal’s record signing, Declan Rice, was unable to play the second half due to a calf injury. This injury added to Arsenal’s growing list of sidelined players, including Thomas Partey and Gabriel Martinelli. Jorginho, brought on as a substitute for the injured Rice, faced criticism for his performance, described by one Arsenal journalist as a “disaster.”
Jorginho’s struggles to keep up with the pace of the game were evident, particularly in comparison to the influential presence of Rice. While Jorginho made an effort to get on the ball, he faced challenges in winning defensive duels, with a 50% success rate. In contrast, Rice, despite not having his best game, still managed a 60% success rate in defensive duels, showcasing his physicality and impact on the field.
The absence of Rice highlighted the lack of physicality and organization in Arsenal’s midfield, which proved to be detrimental. Despite making an effort and having a comparable number of touches to Raya, Jorginho’s performance fell short, leaving fans and observers disappointed.
