Jorginho opens up on 'surprising' Arsenal move

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 17 Dec 2023 15:02 GMT
• 3 min read

Jorginho has opened up on his move to Arsenal from Chelsea in January, saying that it took him by surprise.

The Italian has been at the north London side for 11 months, following a transfer from Stamford Bridge in the last window window.

He was brought in by Mikel Arteta to provide some depth for their title charge.

In an interview with the Telegraph, the former Napoli player admitted that he did not see the move coming.

He said: “I didn't see that coming, to be honest. It happened in less than 48 hours. It was very, very quick.

“I saw the opportunity of working in a team that had an amazing project, of growing a team, to try and achieve.

“And I felt they wanted me to give this help to improve the team, bring good energy — and I am glad they knew I would always put the team first.

“The project convinced me straight away to come."

Arteta also spoke up about Jorginho, saying that he is a great leader: “As a role model, you want to look at somebody with his career and the way he acts every single day.

“He understands his role in a great way and whatever you ask him to do he will do it at his best — and that's something rare.

“The detail that he can go into, the understanding of what is happening live in the game, how he can correct it and how he can attract the attention of his team-mates to listen to him and do what he is telling them to do. It is very impressive. When he's on the bench, he's like another coach."