Arsenal: 4 things we’d like to see against Brighton

2. Albert Sambi Lokonga & Thomas Partey Striking a Balance

Despite Hale End looking in fine shape and the strength of the back five increasing with every performance, it’s the likely involvement of Sambi Lokonga in midfield that is one of the most exciting aspects of Saturday’s meeting.

With Granit Xhaka out for the rest of the year the opportunity presented to Sambi is one that also can offer Arteta a look into what the future may hold.

The Belgian has been, dare we say, lucky, so far.

No Partey to start the season handed him a chance and now Xhaka’s extended absence is set to continue that spell in the team. While a prospect fans were looking forward to seeing in action, nobody could foresee the 21-year-old being as heavily involved as he has.

How he and Partey dovetail in the centre of the park, balance out their No. 6 and No. 8 duties and progress the ball centrally is going to make for fascinating viewing. They’re going to have plenty of fixtures to fine-tune their partnership and that starts on the south coast.

The word ‘dynamism’ immediately comes to mind.

Continued…