Ally McCoist has questioned Arsenal’s decision to sign Jorginho from Chelsea as he believes the Italy international will not fit into Mikel Arteta’s style of play.
The Premier League leaders have been keen to recruit a new central midfielder before the January transfer window closes on Tuesday evening but have been unsuccessful in their attempt to strike an agreement with Brighton for Moises Caicedo.
Arsenal have now secured a £12 million deal with Chelsea for Jorginho and the 31-year-old is set to sign a one-and-a-half-year contract with the Gunners.
But ex-Rangers striker McCoist feels Jorginho does not play at the same tempo as Arsenal’s current midfield trio.
‘I don’t see it as a great move,’ McCoist told talkSPORT.
‘Nothing to do financially, I actually think Chelsea are getting the better deal because I think he changes the way Arsenal play in that midfield, which is high energy.
‘[Thomas] Partey, [Martin] Odegaard and [Granit] Xhaka have been excellent. Talented, yes, top quality, but I think he [Jorginho] plays the game at a different pace than what Arsenal want to play at right now.
‘I don’t think Jorginho is going to Arsenal thinking he’s going to be a squad player. He’s not going to leave one club where he’s sitting on the bench and be happy sitting on the bench at another.’
However, former Arsenal forward Paul Merson believes the Gunners are getting a ‘top signing’ in Jorginho.
‘I think outstanding. You are buying experience as well. He’s won big trophies. He is a proper holding midfield player,’ Merson told Sky Sports.
‘We were only talking about, two years ago when they won the Champions League and he won the Euros, we were saying ‘why don’t England produce one of these players?’. Two years on and Arsenal could be getting him.
‘I know he’s two years older, but he’s so intelligent. He’ll protect the back four and he just keeps it simple. He will be feeding Odegaard. He will be feeding Saka and Martinelli.
‘For me, he is a top signing. He knows he won’t be playing every week. But he will bring experience and calmness.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Share your story or advertise with us: Whatsapp: +2347068606071 Email: info@newspotng.com
