Arsenal midfielder Jorginho has joined former Gunners Ian Wright and David Seaman in raising an issue with the club’s frontline. Mikel Arteta’s outfit hold the best defensive record in the Premier League but their stuttering attack has been a cause for concern, even though they sit two points clear at the top of the table.
Jorginho came off the bench as Arsenal held on to defeat Wolves 2-1 on Saturday, but felt that the team needed to be more ruthless in front of goal. It has been a common complaint from several pundits, but the first time a current player has opened up on their difficulties breaking down opponents.
“It is a mindset to be honest because you have the game completely under control and all of a sudden you stop doing the simple things that you need to keep doing,” Jorginho said. “The game looks easy and then you start to play around, trying to enjoy the ball but at the end we need to put in our mind that we enjoy scoring goals and not just playing around and bringing pressure and situations that we don’t need.
“Yes, I think we need to be more ruthless, especially in the Premier League, the game is never finished. When it is 1-0, 2-0 you have to think you need three, four and respect the game.”
Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah and Leandro Trossard have all been tried up front this season, but their lack of ruthlessness in front of goal has also been criticised by Wright. He believes that Brentford’s Ivan Toney could be the answer, with the England forward set to return from suspension next month.
“You know the thing with the way we play and how we spread goals about last season – yes it took us to a certain place but I don’t think the Toney links will go away,” Wright told the Stick to Football podcast.
“It’s blatantly obvious for everyone to see that with that focal point and that player that scores that it takes you somewhere else. You can’t question the endeavour of both of these players [Jesus and Nketiah] but in the moments that you look back at the Tottenham game, with the Jesus chance.
“A player of his level, that calibre, to get into that position 1-0 up against Tottenham in the north London derby, those chances have to be buried.”
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Seaman echoed the concerns of Jorginho and Wright, insisting that Toney could have a similar impact at the Emirates to Erling Haaland’s arrival at Manchester City.
“I would imagine that Arteta would be looking at it [signing Ivan Toney in January],” Seaman told The Sports Daily. “Especially with the injuries that Gabriel Jesus is suffering. Toney is good, he’s strong in the air, but he’s good with his feet as well. I’m comparing it to when Haaland came to Manchester City.
“People were asking why they needed a striker like that. They were already scoring the most goals in the league and winning the title without him, but then you see the impact he had. A big target man like him, who guarantees goals could certainly work at Arsenal.”
