Ian Wright believes Champions League opposition will start targeting Jorginho more after FC Porto tactics nullified him
Arsenal struggled to break down a resolute Porto defence last night in the second-leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie, and they needed penalties to advance after playing 1-1 on aggregate.
Despite having 58% ball possession and attempting 13 shots, only four of them hit the target as the Gunners were frustrated with the tactics and style of play of the Portuguese.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta removed Jorginho in the 83rd minute for Gabriel Jesus despite the fact that the penalty expertise of the Italian midfielder would have been needed if both sides remained unseparated after 120 minutes.
Arteta was willing to take that risk as the former Chelsea star struggled to impact in midfield, and Ian Wright believes Champions League opposition going forward will be targeting him after his display against such a resolute opposition.
“The way we play and the calibre of players we have got in every department of the field,” the Arsenal legend said on Wrighty’s House.
“I feel like to be able to find a way to win like that. There are going to be games where teams are not going to be that resolute against us and they are going to be more tactically more astute than Porto were. I think we will get space and then it is going to come down to how we punish teams, how ruthless can we be. Can we be as ruthless as we have been in the Premier League in the Champions League? Because if we get space and we get time, we have players. (Martin) Odegaard, (Kai) Havertz, (Leandro)Trossard, (Bukayo) Saka, they will have better games. Declan Rice, Jorginho.
“The problem I feel that we might have is that if Jorginho is playing those games, the more of this on the line and the more we need to control games that Jorginho has got a chance of playing right.
“So I think people will cater for him, people will watch this game and see “hmm”. We saw in the end they took Jorginho off, and remember he is a penalty taker. But he was so ineffective today, because he did not get the chance to turn and do his stuff, and teams will probably target that.”
The Italian could not cope with the constant pressure the Porto players put on him, and while his performance was just a bad day in the office, other managers will be watching him with keen interest ahead of facing Arsenal.
Arteta opted against bringing Thomas Partey on, but the Ghana international could be replacing Jorginho in the line-up for similar games or against similar opposition.
He brings much-needed strength to the table even if his tactical know-how is not as solid as the Italian’s.
Arsenal will be happy that they eventually got the job done and will be feeling confident ahead of the quarter-final draws.
Arteta will fancy the chances of his side against any of the teams remaining in the competition, and while the neutrals will not regard them as favourites to win the Champions League, the players will be optimistic about their chances of going all the way.
