SHOCKING NEWS: Arsenal arteta has blasted and sent a warning to one of his players after the team’s 0:1 win against Tottenham in the premier League. The manager singled out the player after his poor performance to the win, calling him a “game killer” He wants shouting at, I don’t always understand how he plays football he can’t even make a correct pass he was the main reason we fumbled in some part of the match and also against Brighton. that’s why the fans don’t respect his presence in the team. and has no importance to the team. ” I think it’s high time for him to leave he lacks the qualities of an Arsenal player”.
Arsenal has faced a challenging few weeks recently. After losing new signing Mikel Merino to a shoulder injury, the team had to contend with Declan Rice being sent off during a 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion. To make matters worse, club captain Martin Odegaard was sidelined for at least three weeks due to an injury sustained while on international duty.
Despite these setbacks, manager Mikel Arteta has consistently shown that he and his team can handle adversity. Even with a weakened midfield, Arsenal managed to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby. While it wasn’t an outstanding attacking performance, the players gave everything for their manager and the team. However, with the upcoming Champions League opener this week, Arteta may need to consider making some changes to his starting lineup, particularly in midfield.
Why Jorginho Should Be Dropped
One player who could potentially be benched is Italian midfielder Jorginho. While he wasn’t particularly bad in the game against Spurs, he was brought in to do a specific job and performed reasonably well given the circumstances. However, his age and the fact that this was his first major involvement this season showed some clear limitations in his performance—limitations that could prove costly in the upcoming match against Atalanta.
During his 95 minutes on the pitch, Jorginho took just 29 touches—19 fewer than Arsenal’s goalkeeper David Raya. He also lost five of the eight duels he contested, gave away two fouls, and lost possession eight times. By the end of the match, he appeared completely exhausted. His lack of mobility was evident, especially when he was easily turned by Tottenham’s Dejan Kulusevski on several occasions.
These issues did not go unnoticed by observers. Arsenal’s chief writer at football.london, Kaya Kaynak, gave Jorginho a 5/10 rating for his performance, noting his lack of mobility and his struggles in certain defensive situations. While Jorginho’s effort and commitment were clear, it’s hard to ignore his fatigue and physical limitations, which could make him a liability in the fast-paced and demanding environment of a Champions League match.
Given these factors, it would be wise for Arteta to rest Jorginho for the Atalanta clash. While the veteran midfielder still has value in certain situations, the pace and intensity of European football may expose his weaknesses further.
Who Should Replace Jorginho?
The most logical replacement for Jorginho would be Declan Rice. While Arteta seems to have a certain fondness for Jorginho, Rice’s return to the starting lineup makes more sense, especially with crucial games coming up.
First, Rice is one of the most talented and well-rounded midfielders in the Premier League. His combination of defensive skills, physicality, and attacking contributions make him an invaluable player in big matches, particularly in European competitions. Given that Atalanta won the Europa League last season, Arsenal will need Rice’s talent and presence in midfield to help control the game.
Last season, Rice played predominantly as a defensive midfielder, but his contribution was felt at both ends of the pitch. Despite operating in a deeper role for much of the campaign, the “phenomenal” 25-year-old, as described by football analyst EBL, scored seven goals and provided ten assists. His ability to influence the game both offensively and defensively is why he should be prioritized for such important fixtures.
The second reason Rice should start against Atalanta relates to Arsenal’s upcoming match against Manchester City. If Rice doesn’t feature in the Champions League, his first appearance for Arsenal in over three weeks would be against the reigning English champions—a risky situation given the significance of that game. Having Rice play some minutes against Atalanta would help him regain match sharpness ahead of the pivotal clash with City.
However, this doesn’t mean Rice needs to play the full 90 minutes against Atalanta. Arteta could opt to give him a portion of the match to help him reintegrate with the squad and build fitness before the weekend. This would allow Rice to get back into the rhythm of competitive football without overexerting him before the showdown with City.
Conclusion
While Jorginho performed reasonably well against Tottenham, his limitations—particularly in mobility and stamina—were evident. With Arsenal facing tougher challenges ahead, especially in the Champions League and Premier League, it makes sense to rest Jorginho and bring back Declan Rice. Rice’s immense talent, versatility, and the importance of preparing for the match against Manchester City make him the better option to start against Atalanta.
Ultimately, Arteta has options in midfield, but given the stakes in both Europe and the Premier League, Rice should be the one leading Arsenal’s midfield charge this week.
