Mikel Arteta is a huge admirer of Jorginho and wanted the gunners to sign the Chelsea star along with the signing of Thomas Partey, according to reports.
The Arsenal manager was keen to bolster his midfield in the summer transfer window and the London side managed to complete a £45 million deal to sign Partey from Atletico Madrid.
Arsenal were also interested in Houssem Aouar but were unable to reach an agreement with Lyon for the 22-year-old.
Jorginho was also linked with a transfer move to Arsenal in the closing stages of the last transfer window as an alternative to Houssem Aouar.
However, Jorginho was not seen as a back-up option to Aouar and the Italian midfielder was the subject of huge interest from Arsenal, according to the Athletic.
According to reports, the Chelsea player is ‘greatly admired’ by Mikel Arteta and the club’s backroom staff.
But, due to their restricted transfer budget in the summer Arsenal are believed to have wanted an instalment-based deal with the blues and an agreement could not be reached.
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When asked about his future just last month, Jorginho revealed that talks had taken place over a possible transfer to Arsenal.
‘I believe that every player is open to negotiations,’ the midfielder told ESPN Brazil. ‘So I believe there was something they talked about. And in the end it was decided that I remain here.
‘Now my head is here and we’re going to do a great job with Chelsea, which I always wanted to do.’
