Since the start of the season Arsenal’s central midfield has been heavily scrutinised due to the number of changes Mikel Arteta has been forced to make.
In arguably the squad’s lightest position in terms of depth, there has already been injuries to main starters Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey who have missed numerous games so early into the season.
This has made supporters question the sale of Matteo Guendouzi and whether it was necessary to loan him out to Marseille with an obligation-to-buy clause, as he could have been useful for Arteta’s midfield depth.
However, with Albert Sambi Lokonga’s start to life at the club, it has highlighted that in actual fact, the club’s stance on Matteo Guendouzi being surplus to requirements was the right decision.
Sambi Lokonga was signed from Anderlecht in the summer transfer window in a £15m deal.
Arteta has given him more minutes this season than what was expected due to the injury and suspension crisis in the centre of midfield.
Partey had missed the first three Premier League games due an injury suffered in pre-season, whilst Xhaka faced a three-game suspension after his red card against Manchester City which was followed by a knee injury that will rule him out until at least January.
This has pushed Sambi Lokonga into the starting squad very early into his Arsenal career despite only being 22-years-old but he has reacted in an excellent way which shows he is going to be an important asset for the squad in the future.
He was marvellous in the game against Norwich where he had recorded the most tackles alongside the most passes which gifted the Gunners their first league win of the season.
In Arsenal’s recent 3-1 win over Aston Villa, the Belgian midfielder once again highlighted why he was the correct 22-year-old instead of Guendouzi that the club put their trust in as his pivot alongside Partey worked a treat, which could even dethrone Xhaka once he has returned from injury.
Sambi Lokonga has had some inconsistent displays along the way after having mediocre performances against Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace, but this is expected from an inexperienced player.
He captained Anderlecht before leaving to join Arsenal showing the leadership qualities he possesses which Guendouzi certainly lacked as he was often criticised for his attitude problems.
The feeling of regret by the fans to sell the Frenchman after the club’s poor start to the season which saw the north London slump to the bottom of the table has started to change after an impressive six-game unbeaten run.
Sambi Lokonga has played a big role in the team’s change of form which also earned him his first senior international call-up.
Despite Guendouzi’s impressive loan stint in France his internal problems with the club made for a bleak future at Arsenal, but Sambi Lokonga’s acquisition softens the small blow.
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