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Arsenal vs Chelsea: 4 things we’d like to see

By Ross Kennerley

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 12: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal walks past Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal as he is substituted off during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on May 12, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 12: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal walks past Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal as he is substituted off during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on May 12, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Albert Sambi Lokonga
BRUSSEL, BELGIUM – MARCH 21: Albert Sambi Lokonga of RSC Anderlecht during the Jupiler Pro League match between Anderlecht and Zulte Waregem at Lotto park on March 21, 2021 in Brussel, Belgium (Photo by Perry van de Leuvert/BSR Agency/Getty Images) /

4. Albert Sambi Lokonga Against Premier League Opposition

Hyping Albert Sambi Lokonga up too much? Guilty.

So, having waxed lyrical over the Belgian in roughly one full game’s worth of minutes against Millwall and Watford, there is no better way to put that excitement to the test than against Chelsea in front of his new supporters.

Even if he struggles to adapt to the pace, it’s his biggest test yet and just seeing how to slots into an Arsenal midfield against Premier League opposition will make for an intriguing step up from what he’s been subject to so far.

Were he to have a poor game then nobody would criticise him for it. Of course. Were he to look as composed and as positive in possession as he had done so far, with a seamless transition into this calibre of fixture, then we’d get a strong glimpse into how much of a mid-to-long-term option he is and whether he’s destined for more Premier League minutes next season than initially anticipated.

With the way the window is panning out ahead of August 13, performances of a high quality against Chelsea and then Tottenham can certainly swing the pendulum in Sambi’s favour to be starting alongside Partey in west London.

Their partnership has looked well balanced in the early stages with Sambi being entrusted to shift onto the left of the pivot despite being right-footed, moving both in between the centre-backs as well as the left centre-back and full-back to aid with build-up play.

Next. Surprise Cedric interest. dark

Moreover, it will be nice to see him get a run out at the Emirates in front of the fans.

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