‘I don’t know where this is coming from’ – Mikel Arteta confirms desire to keep Gabriel Jesus and Jorginho

Gabriel Jesus (Mike Egerton/PA)

Simon Collings
© Evening Standard

Mikel Arteta insists he wants to keep Gabriel Jesus and Jorginho at Arsenal this summer.

Jesus, who has struggled with knee injuries all season, has been linked with a move away, amid reports Arsenal are ready to listen for offers.

Jorginho, who is out of contract in the summer, has attracted interest from clubs in Italy but Arsenal have offered him fresh terms.

And asked about reports Arsenal may sell Jesus, Arteta said: “I don’t know where this is coming from. No, no [intention of letting him go].”

As well as Jesus, Arteta confirmed on Friday afternoon that he wanted to keep hold of Jorginho this summer.

The Italian has been a solid performer since joining Arsenal from Chelsea in January last year for £12million.

Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal are better equipped to win the title this season

Jorginho will be out of contract at the end of this season but, as reported earlier this week, he has been offered fresh terms.

“I would love to keep him,” said Arteta. “He knows that. The club is fully supportive of that.

“He’s a really important player with us, on and off the field. He makes us better so we want him to stay.”

Jorginho is pushing to return to the Arsenal team on Saturday, when they host Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium.

The Italian has lost his place to Thomas Partey, who performed well against Chelsea and Tottenham last week.

“The energy is really good,” said Arteta. “We just had a training session and the players are really at it and enthusiastic so we’re going to give it a real go.”