Arsenal set for welcome Sambi Lokonga selection boost

Football across the Premier League has faced numerous postponements in recent weeks as a result of the high number of positive COVID cases among players and staff. Arsenal have yet to have a match rearranged, but players have still tested positive.

Mikel Arteta confirmed ahead of the 5-1 win over Sunderland in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals that three of his first team squad had contracted the virus.

Calum Chambers was the latest to be ruled out of action prior to Tuesday’s game, joining Sambi Lokonga and Pablo Mari in being unavailable for selection.

The latter two tested positive in the build-up to the 4-1 victory over Leeds, joining the many rising cases across the nation.

Arsenal could be handed welcome Sambi Lokonga selection boost with UK COVID regulations on self-isolation changing over festive period

With the festive fixture list seeing Arsenal play Norwich at Carrow Road on Boxing Day and then face Wolves just 48 hours later in the Premier League, the depth of the squad becomes essential.

As noted by the BBC, Arsenal could be handed a selection boost ahead of facing the Canaries following a change of rules in the UK.

"“People infected with Covid in England can stop self-isolating up to three days early if they test negative twice, it has been announced,” the BBC reports.“They will now be able to end quarantine after seven days instead of 10 by providing negative lateral flow results on day six and day seven.”"

With the time between the Leeds and Norwich matches being only eight days, initially this would have ruled Sambi out of action but should he, and Mari, produce two negative tests then they can be line to feature, health and fitness permitting.

The Belgian won’t have been able to train properly during that period but with Ainsley Maitland-Niles currently unwell (not with COVID) and Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka featuring heavily of late, any involvement, no matter how little he’s trained, will be beneficial across the 180 minutes.

Sambi had been in fine form up until Xhaka’s arrival prompted him to come out of the team, and while his development shouldn’t be rushed due to his age, he’s finding a level that can be a huge attribute to Arteta across the remainder of the campaign, especially when Partey departs for AFCON in January.

Out of the team for a little while, it will be great to see Sambi back on the saddle over the coming weeks. With Manchester City, the Carabao Cup semi-finals and FA Cup action to come, it will be a welcome return.