Arsenal fan response to Albert Sambi Lokonga’s performance for his more natural midfield job against FC Zurich and what it could mean in front of the January move window.
Mikel Arteta had the option to try different things with Albert Sambi Lokonga as the Gunners secured top position in their Europa League group with a 1-0 win over FC Zurich.
With Elneny accessible for the game after getting back from a hamstring injury early, it was he who was given the errand of working in the ‘Partey job’ at the Emirates’ three-man midfield against the Swiss resistance on Thursday night.
Subsequently, Lokonga – who has filled in for the Ghana global this season as a number six – pushed higher up as one of the two midfield ‘8’s without a trace of the suspended Xhaka and any reasonable person would agree the response to his exhibition has parted numerous among the fanbase.
Presently, shakezsports.com were in participation at the Emirates and felt that while Lokonga battled to affect the play further forward however safeguarded well in the principal half, he was obviously better in the final part, particularly once Partey had been acquainted with procedures.
In the mean time, Arteta conveyed a reassuring decision on the 23-year-old’s performance in north London: “I think everybody pursued the open door,” Mikel Arteta told correspondents during his post-match public interview. “It is actually the case that we played him more there in pre-season.
“At the point when we marked him, we had another thought – however in pre-season, he created and played well there. Resting Thomas today, I think it was a decent choice.”
Yet, what did some fans consider Lokonga’s appearing? With the January move window quick drawing nearer, there has been discussion of Arteta and Edu focusing on another winger as well as supporting their choices in focal midfield in the midst of connections to Youri Tielemans and Danilo.
Obviously, in the event that Lokonga can dazzle in his more normal job then he can save the club a huge number of pounds in the new year as he can challenge Granit Xhaka for a beginning compartment during the last part of the time, while Elneny can keep filling in when Thomas Partey is inaccessible or needs a rest.
That plan seems to agree with a couple of Gunners fans who think Lokonga had a decent game against Zurich. @Goonerp8 said: “An excessive amount of chat on Lokonga for my loving. I think he had a respectable game”, @olivertudge1 concurred: “Likewise Lokonga defo has a future as a number 8, was exceptionally detached first half yet last part brilliant. Couldn’t blame him” and @JackGAbela said: “I thought Lokonga had a greatly improved game in that left sided 8 job. Not close to Xhaka’s level but rather appeared to be considerably more formed in those further developed regions.”
In spite of the fact that, others are of the assessment that Lokonga flopped in his tryout and thus ought to be sold in January with @Odepass8 proposing a section trade with Barcelona for Frenkie de Jong: “We’ll give you Sambi Lokonga in trade bargain for FDJ”, @afc_abdul said: “Lokonga played as a 8 yet he didn’t dazzle and @taophyc_AFC said: “Lokonga was missing in this match he really wants a credit in January, assumed his number one #8 part and was totally imperceptible in the match.”