JORGINHO has urged the Arsenal board to tie down Mikel Arteta to a long-term deal.
And the Italian believes Arteta has what it takes to build a “special” dynasty in North London as they prepare for a final push for the Premier League title.
The Gunners are two Prem wins away from potentially lifting a first league trophy since Arsene Wenger’s Invincibles of 2004 – starting away at Old Trafford against Manchester United on Sunday.
They will be relying on a major Manchester City capitulation – who have a fourth successive triumph in their grasp, a point behind Arsenal with a game in hand.
But regardless of another second placed Prem finish – having squandered an eight-point lead to City last campaign – Jorginho knows Arteta is on track to transform Arsenal.
The former Chelsea midfielder, 32, had four different managers in four-and-a-half years at Stamford Bridge – Maurizio Sarri, Frank Lampard, Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter.
Meanwhile, in contrast to Chelsea’s hectic firing and hiring approach, Arteta – who remains calm over his future – is expected to extend his stay at the Emirates with his current deal expiring in the summer of 2025, having initially taken over in December 2019.
And Jorginho said: “I feel that [Mikel] could stay way longer. He feels good here and I honestly don’t see him going.
“It is really important for the club for him to stay because him with Edu and the board, the whole club, they created something special. I don’t believe he wants to go as well.
“What [Arteta] has been doing here since he joined has been incredible. It is not just a coincidence where we are now.
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“It is such a long process that he has been doing really well with the club, and now with the team, with the fans.
“It is working really well because everyone is looking in the same direction. Every little part that you add to the team is just to make the team better and achieve things.”
Jorginho extended his stay at Arsenal this week, signing a new one-year deal – understood to include an option to stay a further 12 month – with his old terms running out this summer.
He added: “Under Mikel, you have the direction that you need to go. You go in that direction or you are not part of the project. It is very clear.
“Everyone that is here wants to be in the same direction with him.”
Jorginho’s old Chelsea teammate Kai Havertz has emerged as one of Arteta’s most important players in this title run in – despite initial early criticism.
The German forward – who signed from the Blues last summer for £65m – failed to score in his first 12 outings for Arsenal, but now has seven goals and five assists in 10 starts as a central striker since February.
Jorginho said: “I always knew because I know Kai.
“That is part of the game as well, isn’t it? I spoke with him as well: ‘Stay calm, let them talk, keep doing your job as you always do. Work hard and you are going to come through this even better.’
“And that is what has happened I think. And I am really happy for him. He is an amazing, amazing guy and he deserves everything to go really well for him.”
Tomali Benson – partner of Bukayo Saka
Benson and Saka have kept information on their relationship largely quiet.
They do not appear on each others Instagram pages but she was seen speaking to Saka at the 2022 World Cup.
Helene Spilling – partner of Martin Odegaard
A professional dancer from Norway who rose to fame in the country’s version of Strictly Come Dancing, the pair were first spotted together at the Football Awards in March 2023.
Sophie Weber – partner of Kai Havertz
Weber works as a model and social media influencer and is the most high profile member of the group on online with almost 400,000 followers on Instagram.
They are childhood sweethearts having grown up in the same neighbourhood.
Milly White – partner of Ben White
The couple got engaged in 2022 before tying the knot officially in May last year. They have matching “I love you tattoos” on their wrists. Milly White works as a model.
Laura Trossard Hilven – partner of Leandro Trossard
The pair met in 2014 before getting married in 2019.
They have two sons together, Thiago and Amadeo.
Lauren Fryer – partner of Declan Rice
Lauren Fryer and Declan Rice have been together since 2015. She tends to keep a lower profile compared to some of Arsenal’s other Wags but is no less stunning.
She sadly deleted all pictures on her Instagram after suffering horrific abuse by vile trolls.
Georgina Ramsdale – partner of Aaron Ramsdale
Georgina Ramsdale works as a flight attendant.
The couple got married last June after the Arsenal star proposed in 2022. They originally met in 2019.
