‘Didn’t look as sharp’: Ian Wright says one Arsenal player was ‘caught out’ on Monday

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Speaking on the Wrighty’s House podcast, Ian Wright has been dissecting Arsenal’s performance against Crystal Palace.

Arsenal didn’t put in the best showing on Monday, they drew 2-2 with their London rivals and if it weren’t for a late goal from Alexandre Lacazette they would have lost to the Eagles.

Wright was understandably far from impressed by his former team’s showing and he singled out Albert Sambi Lokonga as one player who wasn’t at the races on Monday.

What’s been said?

Wright claimed Lokonga didn’t look very sharp with his passing on Monday, stating that he was caught out against Palace.

“Those are the margins, I sent a text saying we’re going to lose this because I couldn’t see how we could keep the ball and put them under pressure after we scored. Mikel said that he was happy with how we came out in the second half, I wasn’t because I didn’t see anything change. Sambi Lokonga came on and he didn’t look as sharp with his passing, he got the ball and he ambled it out there and he’s the one who got caught out for the second goal,” Wright said.

Needs to improve

Wright is spot on when he says that Lokonga didn’t look sharp against Palace.

Perhaps it’s because he came off the bench in a tough game, but the midfielder looked lost at the Emirates on Monday and he needs to improve if he’s going to be a success for Arsenal.

Granit Xhaka will be the regular starter in midfield once he’s back, but if Lokonga is going to challenge the Swiss international for that spot in the XI he needs to start performing on a more consistent basis.