(Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Morning all.

Just when you think there’s little Arsenal news about, Arsenal FC announced that Jorginho has extended his stay at the club. Excellent news I think. Jorginho isn’t a 32 year old lad has been. He’s a player who was key to us taking a point off of Man City at The Etihad, to name just one occasion where his inclusion has only been positive, especially during the time Thomas Partey was injured which was pretty much the entire season. I know it’s easy to think back to the NLD at The Emirates but his performances have been best with Declan Rice rather than instead of him as he was that day.

I’m really happy to stay, because it’s a privilege to be a part of this family. My family is happy, we are really well settled and there’s more to come! There was not much to discuss to be honest because I feel really good here. Just to know that they appreciate me and want me to stay longer as well, it’s a big thing for me. I feel that I have more to do, so that’s the reason why I’m staying.

The love he feels from the Arsenal fans was another reason he is staying. Yes, even after that NLD blip, fans were behind him and not against him. Chelsea is long gone, just as it for Kai Havertz who has probably just enjoyed his best season in English football. Sure, he won the Champions League with Chelsea but there’s nothing to say he won’t win another for Arsenal too.

Remember when once Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilcueta said:

This guy is going to be a superstar. He’s given us the Champions League, he runs like crazy, his mentality is top. It’s incredible. He will go on to be a top, top player. That’s why he deserves this.

Well, if he’s going to be a superstar, it’s going to be in Arsenal colours.

Arsenal might end the season runners up to Man City but there could be a flurry of awards heading to individuals. Both Bukayo Saka and William Saliba are contenders for the 2023/24 Premier League Young Player of the Season award, Mikel Arteta has been nominated for the Manager of the Season award and both Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice have been shortlisted for the Premier League Player of the Year award.

Majority of our players have had a really good season and as good as our captain has been for the majority, I hope that next season, he can add a few more goals to his game. 8 for the season so far is not to be sniffed at but I just feel he could have doubled his tally at least. As a whole, I think Arsenal could have scored more. I know we thrashed a few opposition teams during the second half of the season but if we’re looking to improve, turning really good goal scoring opportunities into goals is one way we can.

Next season should be interesting to say the least. Our squad will be one year older and wiser, Mikel Arteta will no doubt will have gone over his own performance and decision making and look to improve himself and hopefully, where we currently see unused players sitting on the bench, we’ll see players who will play and make a difference when they do. Players who are good enough to allow more rotation too. I think we got lucky this season with injuries, barring Thomas Partey and Jurrien Timber of course, especially the latter whose debut couldn’t have gone worse for him, but next season, we might not be so fortunate. One of the nasty challenges a few of our players are often on the receiving end of, might do some serious damage or, a season following one when limited rest/rotation has been afforded, can sometimes see players breakdown more often. These guys are only human.

Let’s not forget either, the Euros take place this summer, the Olympics too and many of our players will be involved in both. Not Martin Odegaard though as Norway didn’t qualify for the Euros.

Lastly, Martín Zubimendi is the midfielder linked with Arsenal this summer. His name is in many a back page and apparently the race for his signature is between us and Barcelona. Wojciech Szczesny has been linked with a return and moving on swiftly, the big striker from Bologna, Joshua Zirkee remains on our radar. Football London has all the latest gossip if that’s what floats your boat.

See you in the comments.