Jorginho reveals first conversations with Kai Havertz amid Mikel Arteta message to Arsenal board

Mikel Arteta’s love affair with Jorginho goes back a long way. Even as an assistant coach at Manchester City, he pushed Pep Guardiola to sign the Italian, before twice attempting to sign him as Arsenal manager. On the January 2023 deadline, he finally got his wish and it was worth it.

The Italian has proven many doubters wrong to become a crucial member of this title-chasing Gunners side and has already passed the 50 appearance mark. It’s no surprise that Arteta wants to gush about him at every opportunity.

“I think there is no doubt about his contribution to the team,” Arteta said on Friday of his midfield general. “How he feels about his teammates, the club, the way we play. He’s someone who makes everyone better.”

Arguably the feeling is mutual and Jorginho says it’s one of the crucial reasons why he chose to extend his stay in north London.

“What he (Arteta) has done here since he arrived has been incredible,” the Italian said. “It’s not just a coincidence where we are today. It’s such a long process that he’s doing very well with the club, and now with the team, with the fans. Everything works very well because everyone is looking in the same direction. Every little thing you add to the team is just to make the team better and achieve things.

Jorginho’s new contract is only for one year – “for now”, he says – but as things stand, it coincides with the end of Arteta’s contract at Arsenal. The Spaniard has been linked with jobs elsewhere and refused to make a definitive commitment to staying at the Emirates for the rest of his career when given the chance earlier this season. Jorginho, however, doesn’t see Arteta going anywhere at the moment with what he has built at Arsenal.

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