Mikel Arteta has been delighted by the impact that Leandro Trossard and Jorginho have made, despite Arsenal ’s recent slump in form.
Trossard joined the Gunners in a £27million transfer from Brighton in January after the club were beaten to top target Mykhaylo Mudryk by Chelsea. The 28-year-old Belgium international has scored one goal in five appearances for Arsenal so far, having been used as a substitute in the four of those games.
Jorginho arrived on transfer deadline day for £12m from Chelsea after the Gunners could not convince Brighton to part ways with Moises Caicedo. The experienced midfielder has only featured twice so far, in the 1-0 defeat at Everton and the 3-1 loss to Manchester City on Wednesday.
Arsenal have lost three of their last four matches in all competitions, with their form taking a significant downturn since the January transfer window. But Arteta remains happy with the club’s business midway through the season.
“He’s had an impact every time he’s been on the pitch so he’s an option,” he said of Trossard during his press conference on Friday. The Belgian has been used as a replacement for Gabriel Martinelli, who has now gone eight games in all competitions without scoring.
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Jorginho stepped in for the injured Thomas Partey for the crucial match with City on Wednesday and Arteta was pleased with what he saw. He said: “He’s really good. He’s come into the team and earned the respect of everybody. I think he had a really good game.”
The Italy international is in line to start in midfield alongside Granit Xhaka once again against Aston Villa on Saturday, with Partey still a doubt with a back problem.
“We have to assess him today again,” Arteta confirmed. “He had some discomfort, a little muscle discomfort. We have to assess him and see how he is.”
Gabriel Jesus remains unavailable through injury, but Emile Smith Rowe should be in the squad for the trip to Villa after spending some time on the sidelines. “Emile is training today, if he’s fine he’ll be in the squad. Gabi is still not there,” Arteta said.
Arteta is desperate for a win against Villa in Saturday’s early kick-off, with City having taken top spot with their win in north London. The Gunners are second on goal difference going into the clash but do have a game in hand on their rivals.
They had gone 13 games without defeat in the Premier League before their 1-0 reversal at Everton on February 4 and that result was followed by a 1-1 draw with Brentford and the damaging loss to City. Arsenal have scored just twice in their past three games and haven’t kept a clean sheet in four matches.
