Pundit says Arsenal fans may not realise just how important £12m player is now

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Robbie Earle has admitted that he was surprised to see Jorginho named player of the match as Arsenal closed in on victory against Liverpool on Sunday.

Arsenal secured a massive win in the Premier League title race at the weekend. Mikel Arteta’s side beat the Reds 3-1 at the Emirates to move to within two points of the summit.

Mikel Arteta made a couple of surprise calls with his team selection. Kai Havertz started up front ahead of Eddie Nketiah. Meanwhile, Jorginho came into the midfield to play alongside Declan Rice.

Jorginho shines as Arsenal beat Liverpool

Jorginho has never really been a regular starter since arriving during the 2023 January transfer window. But he has also never really let the Gunners down whenever he has come in.

Declan Rice said that Jorginho was unbelievable in the win. It was the Italian who was picked by Gary Neville as the player of the match. And that came as something of a surprise to Robbie Earle.

Speaking on The 2 Robbies podcast, Earle suggested that he almost expected Jorginho’s performance to go completely under the radar given what it is that he actually brings to the side.

“I have to go to my under-appreciated player of the week, because I can’t talk about the Arsenal performance without talking about Jorginho today,” he said.

“I was a little surprised that he ended up winning the player of the match from our partners, Sky in England. And I said to Rebecca I’m going to name the player, probably most won’t mention him, he’s not going to be a headline-maker, he won’t be man of the match, but Jorginho.

“We have a tactical cam in the studio which is a great view, a full 360 degree of the whole game and you can see the shape and the people, Jorginho’s game management to your point, what he did with the ball, what he did without the ball, how he was urging people, what he was not; honestly, I kept writing notes down, Jorginho this, Jorginho that.

“When they were pressing, he was the one who was setting the triggers and telling people to go. When they were sitting off, he was talking to people, getting Saka in and Martinelli on that side to do their jobs.

“He’s one of those players who has come into Arsenal, doesn’t play every week, Mikel Arteta said trains like a beast every day. He’s been a winner internationally, and at club level. He’s obviously a huge influence. Declan Rice talked about learning from him and him being a mentor to him. Jorginho’s one of those players fans possibly don’t understand his value on a match day and during the week. I think Mikel Arteta does.”

An inspired signing for the Gunners

Arsenal supporters understandably had concerns when Jorginho signed from Chelsea. Ultimately, he had not had the best spell with the Blues in the months before his £12 million move.

But the move has proved to be inspired. Jorginho has been consistent whenever he has played for Arsenal. And Rice’s comments highlight how important he is behind the scenes.

It was a masterstroke to bring the midfielder in. And he could have a massive role to play in the months ahead as Arsenal look to clear that final hurdle.