Arsenal: 3 key player partnerships in Arteta’s lineup

2. Albert Sambi Lokonga & Thomas Partey

Where is Granit Xhaka? Well he’s busy watching on from the stands for three matches and, in the hopes of many, no to return again for some time.

All of which depends on whether Albert Sambi Lokonga and Thomas Partey can strike up a partnership in the middle of the park that negates the need for Xhaka’s presence. That is, of course, so long as Mohamed Elneny doesn’t creep back into the team.

On the basis that he won’t during the Swiss’ three-game ban, there is a lot of hope pinned on the idea that this Belgian and Ghanaian duo can bring the fresh midfield variety that Xhaka’s previously expected departure would have present.

Fans are looking at the dynamism and enhanced mobility of these two as the lift the team needs. Everyone is aware of the structural solidity that Partey brings with dashes of technical flair, and many of the positive traits of the 28-year-old are visible in Sambi.

Far from polished, Partey’s excellent defensive scanning and natural reading of danger can be the key tool that both aids Sambi’s learning of the English game as well as unlocks his more exciting box-to-box qualities.

What Partey and Sambi both share is superb press resistance. This coupled with their physical and mental attributes and passing ranges will raise the tempo of Arsenal’s progression and encourage the defenders to find their feet without concerns over them needing 12 minutes to turn and pick a pass.

In theory it can work brilliantly. Sambi still has a long way to go in his development (he is still only 21 years old) especially in regards to his defensive positioning, while Partey is only just returning from injury, but if these two can dovetail in the centre of the park it’s a midfield duo that can elevate Arsenal.