From offloading top players in wake of reported disciplinary issues to making signings that initially baffled the fanbase, the Gunners boss has certainly copped a lot of criticism in recent years.
However, look at where Arsenal are now. After finishing second last season, the Gunners are once again firmly in title contention, and also in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
In addition, Arsenal have a young team, with most of its key assets having signed long-term contracts which prove that the Emirates Stadium is the place to be right now.
Kai Havertz and Jorginho are just two Gunners players who have had their fair share of criticism after making the move to north London.
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How have Kai Havertz and Jorginho been faring at Arsenal?
Havertz, a £65million signing from Chelsea, needed some time to get up to speed at Arsenal, all the while being effectively written off by some fans and rivals.
Now, the 24-year-old is one of the Gunners’ most important players, with four goals and three assists from his last six games.
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Meanwhile, Jorginho’s £12million arrival to Arsenal in 2023 prompted criticism along the lines of being ‘too slow’ or ‘not mobile enough’, as football.london reported at the time.
As was the case with Havertz, the Italy international had to move up the gears, but now he’s back at the levels which saw him help Chelsea to the Champions League and Italy to the Euro 2020 trophy.
Havertz, speaking to the Arsenal media team ahead of the Gunners’ Premier League trip to Brighton, spoke highly of Jorginho, deeming him one of the greatest in his position.
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The Germany international also explained the connection he has with his teammate on the pitch and how he helped convince him of a move to the Emirates Stadium.
“We spoke before and played together at Chelsea so I know him quite well and just asked him what it was like here,” Havertz said.
“He said his honest opinion about everything and was already after six months at the club complimentary of everyone, the coaches and the players, and that made my decision easier.”
“Jorgi is a player who I feel like he looks at me or I look at him and we both know what is going to happen next.
“He’s one of the best players I’ve played with because he knows my movements, I know his passing and which ideas he has in his mind.
“In general, the whole football industry is only interested in goals and assists but he’s a player who’s more on the other part of the pitch and not so much in the box.
“People speak more about players who score, assist and have goal contributions, but I think he’s one of those players who is the mind behind all of us.
“He sets the tone on the pitch and gives the rhythm. I think he was third in the Ballon D’Or so that shows everyone that he’s one of the greatest in his position
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