Ex-Arsenal Star Jorginho Reveals 'Joyless' Experience Under Arteta Amid Title Race
Former Arsenal midfielder Jorginho has opened up about his difficult two-year tenure at the club, revealing that he left because he felt unable to play with joy under manager Mikel Arteta. After joining from Chelsea in 2023 and making 79 appearances, mostly as a substitute, Jorginho returned to Brazil to join Flamengo in 2025. In an interview with The Times, the Italian international stated that being on the fringes of the squad made it hard to stay motivated, emphasizing his need to feel important and alive on the pitch. While holding no personal grudge against Arteta, Jorginho criticized Arsenal's heavy reliance on set-pieces, comparing the tactical focus to doing homework. He argued that while effective for results, this approach detracts from the beauty of football and suggests a lack of balance. Additionally, Jorginho offered predictions on Arsenal's current Premier League title race, urging the team to ignore past failures and avoid self-imposed pressure. He believes the squad is strong and well-positioned to succeed if they maintain confidence and focus on their strengths rather than historical disappointments.
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Ex-Arsenal Star Jorginho Reveals 'Joyless' Experience Under Arteta Amid Title Race
Former Arsenal midfielder Jorginho has opened up about his difficult two-year tenure at the club, revealing that he left because he felt unable to play with joy under manager Mikel Arteta. After joining from Chelsea in 2023 and making 79 appearances, mostly as a substitute, Jorginho returned to Brazil to join Flamengo in 2025. In an interview with The Times, the Italian international stated that being on the fringes of the squad made it hard to stay motivated, emphasizing his need to feel important and alive on the pitch. While holding no personal grudge against Arteta, Jorginho criticized Arsenal's heavy reliance on set-pieces, comparing the tactical focus to doing homework. He argued that while effective for results, this approach detracts from the beauty of football and suggests a lack of balance. Additionally, Jorginho offered predictions on Arsenal's current Premier League title race, urging the team to ignore past failures and avoid self-imposed pressure. He believes the squad is strong and well-positioned to succeed if they maintain confidence and focus on their strengths rather than historical disappointments.
The Standard