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Mikel Arteta hails Jorginho, provides fitness update on duo

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has heaped praise on midfielder Jorginho ahead of the club’s Premier League clash against Aston Villa on the road tomorrow.

The Gunners have picked up just one point in the last three league matches. As a result, they are now second behind Manchester City in the table on goal difference with a game in hand.

The title race is still wide open but the Gunners must return to winning ways such that they don’t lose further ground on Pep Guardiola’s side in the near future.

Speaking in his press conference today, Arteta covered several topics and one of those was on Jorginho, who had a superb full debut in midweek against City.

The Gunners boss was full of praise for the January signing and acknowledged that he had a really good game against City despite the disappointing 3-1 defeat.

He told Arsenal.com: “He’s really good – he’s come into the team and earned the respect of everybody.”

“You see his leadership, his understanding of the game, how he’s coaching everybody. I think he had a really good game.”

Meanwhile, Arteta also provided a fitness update on Thomas Partey and Emile Smith Rowe.

Partey was absent for the City game with a muscle problem and the manager has said that he will be assessed today to find out whether he can be involved.

Smith Rowe, however, is already training with the club after a minor thigh injury and the Gunners graduate is widely expected to be included in the squad.

Arteta added: “We have to assess [Thomas] again today. He has some muscle discomfort and we have to see how he is. Emile is training today and if he’s fine, he’ll be in the squad.”

Arsenal face must-win game at Aston Villa

The Gunners have stumbled midway through the Premier League campaign but they still have an advantage over Manchester City with a game in hand over Everton.

However, this does not mean anything. We saw last season how the Gunners could not capitalise on the same and missed out on Champions League football in the end.

A top-four finish is pretty much assured this campaign and it remains to be seen whether the current squad can prove their title credentials with a return to winning ways.

The Gunners play first in the Premier League in the upcoming matchday and they have the opportunity to pile the pressure on the holders by picking up maximum points.

It won’t be easy, however. Villa are flying under former Arsenal boss Unai Emery and they will prove another tricky opposition at Villa Park in tomorrow’s early kick-off.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

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