Merson claims Arsenal could sell ‘integral’ member of Arteta’s side in the summer

Arsenal legend Paul Merson reckons Gunners midfielder Jorginho could be sold in the summer despite his “integral” role since joining.

The Gunners invested around £12m in the January transfer window on Jorginho from Chelsea with Albert Sambi Lokonga joining Crystal Palace on loan until the end of the season.

And Arsenal have already needed to use the Italy international after Thomas Partey suffered an injury that ruled him out of the last four matches.

Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu are reportedly looking to bring in two new central midfielders in the summer transfer window with Declan Rice and other top players linked to Arsenal.

And that could push Jorginho down the pecking order with Arsenal legend Merson insisting he “wouldn’t be surprised if he left this summer”.

“The Jorginho signing has been an absolute masterstroke from Arsenal,” Merson told the Daily Star. “They have played an absolute blinder and I have said it all along.

“He has been integral to all of their last three wins and it came just at the right time after Thomas Partey was struggling with a muscle injury.

“Edu also deserves massive credit for what’s going on at Arsenal. He and Mikel Arteta are the brains behind their transformation. You can just picture them sitting around tables at London Colney racking their brains together.

“You only have to look at the January transfer window. I thought Jorginho was going to be a phenomenal signing and that’s exactly what has transpired. It was just so clever in every way imaginable.

“He might not even be there next season, I wouldn’t be surprised if he left this summer but it doesn’t matter. It’s just the way Arsenal are thinking, they’re doing everything they can to maximise their chances of success.”

Leandro Trossard has impressed in his seven Premier League appearances since making the January move to the Emirates Stadium with the Belgium international providing three goal contributions in those matches.

Merson added: “Leandro Trossard looks like another sublime piece of business, you’d think he was an Arsenal player anyway on the basis of how he’s settled at the club.

“He’s stepped in and done a great job and even when Gabriel Jesus returns, Trossard can play where Gabriel Martinelli plays. They have so many options.

“It’s a snip at just £27million. Trossard could play for Manchester City in my book, he’s that talented. I think the Aston Villa game was the key moment for Arsenal – it was the match that displayed their title credentials.”

READ MORE: Arsenal saw what Man Utd and Barcelona did not in Klopp’s ‘talent of the century’