Jorginho might return this season after ‘punctured lung’

Jorginho is “recovering well” from a lung injury, according to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who may start playing again this year.

The 33-year-old made his final appearance on April 12 when he was taken off in the final few minutes of Brentford’s 1-1 draw with a suspected chest injury.

Arteta said: “It got a little more complicated than expected” before Saturday’s Premier League game against Bournemouth (17:30 BST). He’s recovering well, and he’s fine.

The Italian’s injuries have been reported by sources, but Arsenal have not confirmed any details.

Arteta added that if everything turns out well in the next week or so, he might see his vice-captain playing once more this year.

Jorginho is about to leave Arsenal’s final weeks of his contract before the new year.

Since joining Chelsea in a £12 million deal in January 2023, the midfielder has made 78 appearances.

After having surgery on his hamstring, Kai Havertz is also making progress toward potentially playing once more this year.

The German international needed surgery after suffering a serious muscle tear during Arsenal’s winter training trip to Dubai in February.

He was scheduled to miss the remainder of the season, but he is recovering well and is now expected to return before the end of the season.

After falling to Paris St-Germain at home on Wednesday, Arsenal will face them in the semifinal match.