Mikel Arteta has opted to start Jorginho in place of the injured Thomas Partey as Arsenal take on Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium. The Ghana international has been ruled out of the clash as a precaution after suffering from a tight back muscle.
Jorginho completed a £12million switch to the Gunners from Chelsea in the January transfer window. Partey has been a crucial player for Arteta this season, but the Spaniard is confident that the Italy international can prove to be a capable alternative in midfield.
Takehiro Tomiyasu has been drafted in to the Arsenal defence with Ben White dropping to the substitutes bench. The north Londoners could extend their lead at the top of the table to six points with a win tonight, but it remains to be seen how Jorginho copes in Partey's absence.
READ MORE: Arsenal vs Manchester City LIVE: Jorginho and Tomiyasu in, White benched, Partey injury defined
Speaking to Amazon Prime, Alan Shearer and Gael Clichy discussed what Jorginho can offer Arsenal against City after Partey was ruled out of the game through injury. Shearer said: "He’s [Partey] been a really big player for them this season, his experience in there, his energy that he brings in there. Jorginho, you’ve heard, Mikel has brought him in for his experience, he’s a slightly different player and offers something different to what Partey offers."
Clichy feels that Arteta has always wanted a player with Jorginho's skill set to play at the base of his midfield and believes the Italy international's experience will be a major help tonight. The former Arsenal and City defender said: "Well straight away we talk about experience - he’s won silverware - but Mikel is like Pep, and they play for possession.
"Partey is having a great season but I would believe he would want someone like Jorginho. Coming into it this season it’s not going to be easy to settle in but I think Jorginho at his best could be the star man for this team.
"A player who can support and accept the pressure. Mikel would want that definitely and for me this is a great signing because of what he brings."
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