Arsenal’s forgotten star set for vital involvement

Arsenal find themselves in a bit of a pickle at the moment. Not because they face some crucial fixtures in their season, but because they’re low on personnel to take part in them.

In hindsight, perhaps letting Ainsley Maitland-Niles join Roma on loan wasn’t the smartest idea without a replacement ready and waiting. It was a decision Mikel Arteta said he couldn’t turn back on, granting the Hale Ender his wish, and the deal itself does make sense.

But it leaves Arsenal short. Granit Xhaka appears to be out of action for unknown reasons, and Thomas Partey joins Mohamed Elneny in departing for AFCON action. Arsenal have, by process of elimination, just one senior midfielder to choose from at present. Albert Sambi Lokonga has become something of a forgotten man.

Injuries to various players handed the Belgian more minutes than he would have expected earlier in the season. Signed from Anderlecht in the summer, Sambi featured in some capacity in 12 of the first 13 Premier League matches, with each performance offering encouraging signs of development.

Arsenal’s forgotten star Albert Sambi Lokonga set for vital involvement as Arteta prepares for midfield selection crisis amid transfers and injuries

More along the lines of a Partey than a Xhaka, he’s featured both as a No. 6 and a No. 8 this season, capturing the hearts of supporters with his committed attitude off the pitch and determined presence on it. Coinciding with the return of Xhaka from injury, however, he’s played just nine minutes of league action in the past seven matches.

He’s going to be needed now more than ever.

And what are the lasting memories of the 22-year-old? Very positive indeed. Sambi’s last start for Arsenal was a man of the match display against Newcastle, where he created no fewer than six chances – twice as many as any other player on the pitch.

It was a display that highlighted all of his finer qualities. Extremely silky and composed in possession, sitting deep just off to the left he picked out passes that went over, through and around the Newcastle midfield. Each with sumptuous measure.

While the signs have been encouraging, a lot will be thrust back on his shoulders across January having essentially not kicked a ball since late November. Two Carabao Cup ties with Liverpool sit either side of a North London Derby, and with Arsenal yet to sign anyone this window Sambi is set to be a key figure in all of them.

He also looks in line to start against Nottingham Forest, which might be an ideal way to ease him back into action.

With dwindling numbers, having someone of Sambi’s confidence who never shies away from receiving the ball will be key if there are to be unfamiliar faces in central midfield alongside him.

This is quite the ask of the Belgian after his time out, but the progression he’s shown up until this point offer inspiration across these tricky fixtures. There are no doubts over his talent.