Arsenal face Jorginho contract dilemma amid Martin Zubimendi transfer problem

As Arsenal produced one of their performances of the season to beat Liverpool 3-1 last Sunday, there were few who had a better game than Jorginho. On his first Premier League start since November, the Italian produced a player of the match display crucial to retaining Arsenal's place in this year's title race.

«Unbelievable,» Mikel Arteta said of the 32-year-old's display in his post-match press conference. «I always say that he’s an example, a role model. He’s been in a lot of pain because he’s had an issue he’s been carrying for months. He didn’t want to stop, he’s been playing with that. He’s been training, always the first one in and the last one out.

»For all the kids at the club, if you want to look at somebody, just look at him. He’s won everything but you ask him not to play or play one minute last week he’s happy to go there. Ask him to play 90 minutes at that rhythm and he’s able to do that. I’m really lucky to have players like this."

Now the dust has settled on a truly outstanding performance though, questions are being asked over how many more Jorginho will have in an Arsenal shirt. The Italian's contract is due to run out this summer, although Arsenal have the option to extend it by a further 12 months.

Speaking in November, the player's agent said that he would look to address the situation with the Arsenal hierarchy in February. Now that time has come around, and a decision is still yet to be made. For many it would seem like a no-brainer to retain the services of a player still capable of deciding the biggest games in English football for another year. In reality though, it is not quite that simple.

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