Arsenal’s owner, Stan Kroenke, has issued a stern warning to their manager, Mikel Arteta, insisting it’s time to bench a star player earning £110,000 per week due to their recent poor performances, including the match against Chelsea.
In their recent outing against Chelsea, Arsenal struggled to maintain control of the game, and one player, in particular, drew criticism for his subpar performance. The match ended in a 2-2 draw, and the Gunners were fortunate to keep their unbeaten Premier League record intact.
The first half of the game was marred by sloppiness, as noted by Declan Rice, and a moment of brilliance from him kick-started Arsenal’s comeback from a two-goal deficit. Arsenal, a team known for its quality, couldn’t afford to have so many key players underperform simultaneously.
Jorginho, the player in question, found it challenging to cope with the high-intensity, all-action style of play against Chelsea. Conor Gallagher’s relentless pressure made it difficult for Jorginho to dictate the game, which is typically his forte. Arsenal’s usual ability to seize possession and maintain control in the midfield was hampered.
Despite Jorginho’s seemingly impressive statistics, such as a 91% pass accuracy and 77 touches, he lost possession eight times, reflecting his challenging day on the pitch. Several critics, including journalist Simon Collings and fans on social media, were quick to highlight Jorginho’s shortcomings in the game, giving him low ratings.
This poor performance raises questions about Jorginho’s position in the starting lineup, given the alternatives available to Arteta. There are several options to replace him, including moving Oleksandr Zinchenko into the midfield permanently or fielding other midfielders like Kai Havertz, Fabio Vieira, or Emile Smith Rowe.
However, the most promising choice, as suggested earlier, is to reintegrate Thomas Partey into the starting XI. Partey’s return to fitness and recent cameo appearances suggest he’s ready for action. His presence in the midfield offers the same control as Jorginho but with added physicality. Partey’s past performances have demonstrated his ability to be a key defensive anchor, allowing other players to contribute offensively.
Partey’s defensive stats from last season highlight his effectiveness, with 2.1 tackles and 1.2 clearances per game, winning an impressive 59% of his duels. Additionally, he excels in passing, ranking in the top percentages for passes attempted, pass completion, and progressive passes per 90 among European midfielders.
Jorginho’s struggles against Chelsea were partly due to his lack of pace, which wouldn’t be as pronounced with Thomas Partey in the lineup. Partey’s strength and speed make him a more suitable fit for Arsenal’s midfield. Arteta himself has acknowledged Partey’s importance as a “super important player.”
