"He makes us better" - Arteta wants Arsenal midfielder to sign new contract

Nearly 18 months into his Arsenal career since joining from Chelsea in the winter of 2023, Jorginho has often proved an influential figure at the base of the Gunners midfield.

The 32-year-old has not set the world alight in terms of goal contributions, only managing one of his own and three assists in 51 games, but his composure in the middle of the park has been lauded in the past few months in particular.

Thanks to Jorginho's stellar work in the number six role, Arteta has been free to deploy Declan Rice in a more advanced position to brilliant effect, although the former's contract expires at the end of the season.

The Gunners have opted against triggering a 12-month extension in his existing terms, and Jorginho has been tipped to return to his native Italy, but reports earlier this week claimed that the ex-Napoli man has been offered a new contract.

Arteta: 'We would love Jorginho to stay'

Jorginho is expected to agree to Arsenal's proposal, and Arteta was quizzed on the contract rumours in Friday's press conference ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Bournemouth.

The Spaniard is usually loath to talk about transfer or contract speculation, but he confirmed to reporters that he wants Jorginho - who is also doing his coaching badges in North London - to stick around for a little while longer.

"I would love to keep him. He knows that. The club is fully supportive of that. He makes us better so we want him to stay," the Arsenal boss responded.

Jorginho has failed to start each of Arsenal's last four Premier League matches, losing out to Thomas Partey in their recent wins over Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, but the Ghanaian's future is also clouded in uncertainty.

Partey's deal in North London only runs until the summer of 2025, and it is believed that the Gunners are open to bids for the ex-Atletico Madrid man due to his poor fitness record.

Jurrien Timber to make Arsenal comeback against Bournemouth?

However, Partey is expected to form part of a full-strength Arsenal squad for Saturday's game, as Arteta confirmed that Jurrien Timber is finally ready to make his senior return nearly nine months after an ACL injury.

The 22-year-old sustained the issue on the opening weekend of the Premier League season but has now come through two partial matches with the Under-21s, scoring a beautiful goal on his comeback appearance against Blackburn Rovers.

The youth team are in action again on Friday against Manchester United, but Timber will not be involved in that match, fuelling suggestions that he will make the first-team squad for Saturday's lunchtime affair.

"Yes everybody is fit and available. Now it's a good headache to make the right selection. We played in many different scenarios this season. Our job is clear, we have to win our game and there's a focus on that," Arteta added.

"We are not going to know [if Timber is ready] that until we throw him in. In eight months of football, he's only played 150 minutes with the Under 21s. It's a solution we can only do by throwing him on the pitch. He won't be playing for the Under-21s tonight."

Arsenal can build up a four-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table by beating Bournemouth this weekend, but the champions will have the chance to respond when they tackle Wolverhampton Wanderers in the evening kickoff.