Would Albert Sambi Lokonga jinx it? For three meetings, Arsenal can not do it anymore. And this coincides with the return to the Eleven of the Red Devil. Of course, the shortcut is easy and cheap. But the facts are there. If Polo Mpoku’s brother can’t blame himself for much, it’s mainly because he has to replace Arsenal’s most important element: Thomas Partey.
After the Ghanaian’s return from CAN in early February, the Gunners had a superb series of 18 out of 21. Enough to put the Gunners in the top 4. But the injury to the former Atletico midfielder changed everything. Sambi Lokonga took over the torch for a relative success: three games for three defeats. Frustrating. But this is due to several reasons.
The irreplaceable Partey
To perform, Londoners need all their strength. A missing element can cause the machine to skid. Problem: Mikel Arteta has to deal with the absences of Partey and Tierney. Two essential profiles.
Without their midfield, Arsenal have much less control in the game. This is very noticeable in transitions. Hardly surprising when you consider that he attempted the most tackles (43), made the most duels (29) and won the most balls (153) than any other player in Arsenal in the league this season. As Sky Sport points out: “In the heart of the game, Partey gives more control. Even though Albert Sambi Lokonga is a shrewd substitute, the absence of the former Atletico player is detrimental for Arsenal as they lose physical slaughter.”
According to our English colleagues, the Belgian has never managed to compare with the Ghanaian on this point. “He and Tavares (who is to replace Tierney) failed to match the performance of their rivals.” Especially since, this Wednesday, Arsenal will move to the Bridge. A team that has scored eleven times in its last three games. This means that the management of conversions will be essential.
Impose your style
Unlike Tavares, who was sent off against Nottingham Forrest in the FA Cup elimination, Sambi Lokonga never really made a mistake. His only real “fault” is being different from Partey. The Ghanaian is a physical monster while the Belgian is more into the short game. One likes quick transitions, the other likes having the ball at his feet. In short, they have different qualities. But they are completely complementary. Only, Arteta favors the Xhaka option, more physical, too, and above all more experienced. The Spanish coach could do without the Swiss. But it is impossible to play without Partey.
Especially since he is also valuable offensively. Already, he succeeds 81.4% of his dribbles per game. A success rate that places him among the best in the Premier League (for those who have tried at least 25). Above all, Partey takes more risk in his game. He has a better forward passing percentage and is more comfortable with long distance passes. Conversely, Sambi favors the short game and takes very little risk. But Arsenal need this dose of unpredictability to be dangerous.
Normally, Partey is injured until the end of the season. This leaves a boulevard for Sambi to play… but above all to assert himself. Because he has the qualities to win during this period. Before the match against the Blues, Arteta explained that he had confidence in his young group. “I have to give them more support and confidence. I’m behind them. We’re going to need each other to do something at the end of the season.”
A speech that fits perfectly with the state of mind of the former RSCA. “We have lost three games in a row and everyone is disappointed”he explained after the defeat against Southampton this weekend. “We have to believe in each other and we have to stay together, united. The team has already been through this at the start of the season. So we can still pick ourselves up. All the players are in the same boat.”
A ship that will have to try not to rock against the Blues. On pain of suffering a fourth defeat in a row.
