Video

Jorginho pleased to be a part of "hungry" squad

Having had a couple of months to settle into our changing room, Jorginho has been impressed with his teammates' desire to achieve something special this season.

The Italian international has swiftly made an impression after swapping west for north London in January following his move from Chelsea, seamlessly integrating himself on and off the pitch as he develops relationships with the rest of the squad.

He attributes his swift bedding-in period down to the team spirit within the camp, and having been a part of successful sides who have lifted some of the biggest prizes in world football, he revealed he has spied similar characteristics amongst his new colleagues that can only bode well for the future.

Speaking to Arsenal.com, he said: “Everyone is hungry to win. Everyone is humble to work hard when it’s needed. I can see it in the changing room as well as within the staff working in the building, everyone is very happy to be here. I’m settling in very well because everyone has welcomed me.

“What makes a successful team in my opinion? Definitely hunger, but at the same time, everyone looking in the same direction. Everyone being humble to work a lot because it’s not easy, [as well as] the togetherness, the support from each other, relying on each other, knowing that if I’m having a bad day I can count on my teammates’ positive energy. I think these are key for a successful team.

“The energy is really high, it’s really good energy. I think that’s why the team is where it is, and we’re probably going to keep going this way. The team’s going to keep flying high.”

Jorginho admits that the only thing he knew to expect coming into London Colney was the quality of the squad Mikel Arteta has developed, but was delighted to quickly discover that the group were just as impressive as people as well as players.

That, combined with mutual respect between him and his new manager, has meant that the midfielder’s first few months have gone better than imagined, as he hopes to continue playing his part both domestically and in Europe over the coming months.

 

“I didn’t know much about my teammates, I just played against them a few times, which was really difficult!” he laughed. “I’m happy to be on their side now. They are just amazing players and really, really good guys. They are very easy to work with.

 

“Working with Mikel, it’s been really nice. We tried before; I know he tried before and me too! Because he wanted to have me in his team and work with me, it was the same for me. 

“I’m finally really happy that we have this challenge and this path to go on with each other. I’m really pleased to be here.”

Hear more from Jorginho by pressing play on the video above