Jorginho's contract situation as Italian bosses Newcastle (again)

When Jorginho signed for Arsenal on deadline day of the 2023 January transfer window, no one thought much of it. Valued at £12 million, the 18 month deal for the 31-year-old looked like a quick fix for a midfield hit with injuries. Recently, the Italian’s surge in form has raised a question – is there any reason that Arsenal shouldn’t look to extend Jorginho’s deal until 2025?

Jorginho’s current contract runs out on June 30, 2024. Despite this, it seems bogus to even consider that Arsenal would let the Italian go in a few months. Lo and behold, Edu has worked his magic and included an extension option for one year as part of the contract, and for someone who has been so useful, why not go for it? His experience has made him Arteta’s ‘go-to man’ in big games, starting six league games this season - only one has come against opposition that would not be considered a major threat to Arsenal (Burnley [H]).

Deploying him in the centre of the midfield against opposition such as Manchester City, Liverpool and Newcastle, not only allows Declan Rice to have more freedom in his role but allows Jorginho to play to his strengths and dictate Arsenal’s possession. There is no doubt that he can still play a pivotal role in the midfield – averaging 90% pass accuracy on 66 attempts (per league start), his calming presence and control can be the difference maker against any big opponent.

It's quite clear that the midfielder will never be a week-in and week-out option, but as Arsenal look to build title runs and go deep into European competitions, he will be a very handy option to have. At his best, he can lead Arsenal to those big wins that can tilt a season in their balance. At the very least, he will be a role model and help mentor the younger players in the squad, regardless of their positions.

Sounds like a win/win to me.