Arsenal are set to face West Ham United at the Emirates tonight, but it is unclear whether Jorginho will take part, as he has not...
Arsenal are set to face West Ham United at the Emirates tonight, but it is unclear whether Jorginho will take part, as he has not been spotted in training.
The midfielder was absent from the matchday squad against Brighton after recently struggling with injury, but was back on the bench for last week’s trip to Liverpool.
Jorginho has been a crucial leader in the dressing room since his arrival last January, and with Kai Havertz suspended, was an option to start tonight as Arsenal aim to stop West Ham’s threat on the counter.
Jorginho not spotted in Arsenal training photos
Arsenal have released official photos from yesterday’s final training session ahead of what could be a tough clash against David Moyes’ side, and there is no sign of Jorginho.
The likes of Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Oleksandr Zinchenko and William Saliba were all pictured, but Jorginho has not been spotted at all.
This is now raising concern that he could be set to miss out tonight, and the 32-year-old could be a big miss in the matchday squad.
The Italian last appeared in the Champions League draw with PSV Eindhoven, captaining the side as he played 90 minutes two weeks ago, but has been absent or an unused substitute since.
Jorginho would be a big miss for Mikel Arteta
Jorginho has emerged as a true leader in the squad this season, and was spotted giving instructions to his teammates from the touchline when a substitute.
David Raya recently stated that the former Chelsea star had been particularly helpful in helping him settle at the Emirates, and on the pitch, he is useful both as starter and a substitute.
Arteta may have been tempted to start Jorginho tonight, with Rice pushing further up the pitch to help stop West Ham’s counter-attacking threat, but if he is absent, he will have little choice but to start Emile Smith Rowe, whom fans have been eager to see in the lineup.
Jorginho is often crucial off the bench to help slow games down and help see out narrow victories, and if he is absent tonight, Arsenal will hope they can secure a big enough lead that there will be limited nerves in the late stages of the match.
The midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season, and his future is unclear, but until Arsenal reinforce their midfield options, he will be an important player for Arteta.
