Mikel Arteta Has the Perfect Replacement for Declan Rice in North London Derby Against Tottenham
With Declan Rice suspended for Arsenal’s upcoming North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur, Mikel Arteta may have to rethink his midfield options. However, Jorginho, the experienced Italian midfielder, could be the perfect replacement for Rice in this crucial fixture.
Jorginho has shown his quality and leadership since joining Arsenal from Chelsea in January 2023.
While he hasn’t featured in Arsenal’s first three Premier League matches this season, his ability to step up in big games is well-documented.
For example, in last season’s 3-1 victory over Liverpool, Jorginho played a key role and was named player of the match by Gary Neville despite having limited playing time beforehand.
Arteta has praised Jorginho’s intelligence, work ethic, and ability to make those around him better, which could be crucial in a high-stakes match like the North London Derby.
With Arsenal also missing new signing Mikel Merino due to injury, Jorginho’s presence could provide the defensive stability and experience that Arsenal will need against a strong Tottenham side.
Arteta could pair Jorginho with Martin Odegaard and Thomas Partey in midfield, combining defensive solidity with creativity and control. This setup could help Arsenal manage the game effectively, even without the influential Rice.
The match is still 12 days away, so Arteta has time to finalize his plans, but Jorginho’s experience and qualities make him a strong candidate to fill the void left by Rice in this critical encounter.
Mikel Arteta Has the Perfect Replacement for Declan Rice in North London Derby Against Tottenham
