Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is expected to place a lot of faith in young midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga with a start away at Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.
Just a fortnight ago, the Gunners had a plethora of options in the middle of the park and Lokonga was actually some way down the pecking order. Fast forward 14 days, injuries to the likes of Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny have thrust Lokonga into the spotlight ahead of a pivotal clash at Old Trafford.
The majority of the Arsenal faithful assumed reinforcements would be purchased given the fact that at the time of the injuries the transfer window was still open.
Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans was relentlessly linked with a switch to the Emirates all summer and a move did seem like the most sensible option to explore in the wake of all the midfield injuries. The Belgian international has just one year left to run on his current Foxes contract and would have been available for a cut-price fee.
Instead, the Gunners ended up without any further additions, sticking on what they already have - sparking fears they could be caught short in midfield.
According to Manchester City legend and former Anderlecht boss Vincent Kompany, Arsenal fans have very little to worry about when it comes to Lokonga starting from the off, despite the Belgian's relative inexperience.
Reflecting on the first time he witnessed Lokonga in action, Kompany told Rio Ferdinand's YouTube channel FIVE: "The first thing I did when I saw Sambi is I went to Mikel and also Pep, but Mikel first and said, 'You got to watch this guy, he's the new Yaya Toure.'
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"I'm not sure I’m doing him a favour saying this stuff. Look, you know what I like about Sambi, what Yaya did have, is, he wants the ball no matter what. If the team is not doing well, give the ball to Sambi. Team doing well? Give the ball to Sambi. He will never hide away from his responsibilities."
That glowing review will be music to the ears of the Arsenal fanbase who are hoping for a performance that is befitting for the magnitude of the game against Erik ten Hag's in-form side.
Lokonga will be vital to Arsenal's chances of coming away from Old Trafford with a league win - something that has only happened twice since 2006.
Faced with the task of dealing with the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen and new-signing Casemiro - the young Gunner will need to live up to Kompany's prediction at Old Trafford.
