'Jorginho will pull the strings in the Arsenal midfield' – Martin Keown on Italian's move from Chelsea
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Updated 03/02/2023 at 13:13 GMT
Former Arsenal footballer Martin Keown says Jorginho “could be a significant signing” for the Gunners as they chase a first Premier League title for 19 years. Arsenal sit at the top of the Premier League, five points clear of Manchester City. They face Everton at Goodison Park this Saturday with live coverage on BT Sport from 11:30 GMT, before kick-off at 12:30 GMT.
'It was a hard time!' – New signing Jorginho recalls playing Arsenal this season
BT Sport pundit Martin Keown believes Jorginho will “pull the strings in the Arsenal midfield” following his surprise move to the Gunners.
Jorginho joined Arsenal from Chelsea for £12m on deadline day, signing a contract that will see him stay until the summer of 2024, with an option to extend for another year.
The Italian was one of three Arsenal signings in the January transfer window with Jakub Kiwor from Spezia and Leandro Trossard from Brighton joining the club.
“Jorginho is a really interesting signing,” Keown told BTSport.com. “He’s achieved everything in the game and he’ll pull the strings in the Arsenal midfield, so he arrives with good experience. He could be a significant signing.
“Arsenal needed somebody in there who has the experience and can play at that level. Jorginho will hopefully help them to be successful.
“Trossard had as good a debut as I’ve seen for Arsenal. We know his talent and his quality and the confidence he played with in his first match was impressive.
“He gives Arsenal some fantastic options in the wide areas - he’s more than just a utility player and he’ll put [Bukayo] Saka and [Gabriel] Martinelli under pressure for a first-team place.”
Arsenal are five points ahead of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League, with a game in hand.
Mikel Arteta’s side play Everton at Goodison Park in the early Saturday afternoon game which is live and exclusive on BT Sport, with kick-off at 12:30 GMT.
They have not won the league since the famous Invincibles side went unbeaten in the 2003-04 season but Keown has played down expectations despite increasing excitement at the Emirates.
“It’s about taking it game to game,” he said. “Arsenal are still developing and it’s Man City’s title, they’re the holders. We know the calibre of their group - they could go on a huge run and win every game until the end of the season.
“Arsenal just have to keep winning and if it takes them to the title fantastic. But it has to be from game to game, opponent to opponent and tackle to tackle. You can’t look too far beyond that.
“Pep Guardiola was saying that Arsenal have got fire in their bellies and he wants that back with his group. Arsenal’s players are in the zone right now.
“They’re enjoying going into training, they’ve got team spirit and togetherness, but ultimately you’ve got to go on and turn that into a trophy.
“Arsenal are enhancing their reputation, which before was maybe that if things go against them they weren’t tough and they weren’t fighters. That’s evident now, it’s there.
“The toughness and personality is there in abundance, but they’ve got to show it again this weekend at a tricky Goodison Park.”
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