%20rotate(-8.06)%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22336.19%20136.81%20330.16%2094.25%20326.06%2071.19%20326.44%2071.13%20335.22%2093.54%20352.29%20134.52%20373.95%20131.46%20362.7%2052.01%20350.02%2053.8%20356.05%2096.36%20360.15%20119.42%20359.77%20119.48%20350.99%2097.08%20333.91%2056.09%20312.25%2059.15%20323.51%20138.6%20336.19%20136.81%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22402.91%2059.3%20412.36%20126.02%20427.17%20123.92%20417.72%2057.21%20431.59%2055.24%20429.79%2042.51%20387.23%2048.53%20389.04%2061.27%20402.91%2059.3%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22463.51%20118.77%20458.69%2084.71%20474.68%2082.44%20479.51%20116.5%20494.36%20114.4%20483.11%2034.95%20468.26%2037.06%20472.96%2070.25%20456.96%2072.52%20452.26%2039.32%20437.4%2041.43%20448.65%20120.88%20463.51%20118.77%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22540.5%20107.87%20538.77%2095.68%20518.91%2098.49%20515.77%2076.29%20535.63%2073.47%20533.93%2061.5%20514.07%2064.32%20511.11%2043.42%20530.98%2040.61%20529.25%2028.42%20494.53%2033.34%20505.78%20112.78%20540.5%20107.87%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22299.03%20155.17%20301.29%20171.58%20542.78%20138.39%20540.5%20121.97%20299.03%20155.17%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
4 Arsenal players who could go up a level in 2022/23
By Adam Schultz
Last season, several players raised their game as Arsenal nearly secured Champions League football. But which players can take that next leap this upcoming season?
We saw several players take their games up a notch last year. Bukayo Saka was simply on another level, while Gabriel was stout as a defender and scored five times for good measure. Granit Xhaka was serviceable without being outstanding, and Thomas Partey was the side’s heartbeat when fit.
4 Arsenal players who could go up a level in 2022/23
As we head into the pre-season campaign in a couple of days, looking at the Arsenal squad, which is full of young talent, which players are destined to have an even better time of it in 2022/23?
Here are some players who could go up another level this upcoming season.
Albert Sambi Lokonga
The 22-year-old quickly showed his qualities as he was thrust into the first team early in the season due to injuries. He played the full 90 minutes in the Gunners’ losses to Brentford and Chelsea. He immediately showed his unique passing range and ability to intercept and nip into a tackle.
Like many of Arsenal’s squad players last year, the lack of European football hurt his chances of playing regularly. He played 22 times in all competitions, with 19 coming in the league.
https://twitter.com/VipArsenal/status/1511624440718708736?s=20&t=ICz49MJxwWSbXsCTZQrWiA
His rawness was there for all to see, as young players often struggle to adapt to the pace and intensity of the Premier League. But, for the most part, it was positive signs for the Belgian.
Now, with an entire pre-season and European football to add to the Gunners’ calendar, Lokonga will get more game time. And given how condensed the schedule will be, they will come thick and fast.
At just 22 years old, Lokonga has time to develop. Holding similar characteristics to Thomas Partey, Lokonga could blossom into the Ghanaian’s right-hand man in the not-so-distant future. He could also compete with Xhaka for a starting berth on the left side of Arsenal’s midfield three.
Look for Sambi to improve out of sight next season.
Continued on next slide…