According to The Athletic, the coaching staff at Arsenal believe Albert Sambi Lokonga is a better fit than Thomas Partey for the No.6 role.
What’s the story?
Well, the £45m man is currently occupying the No.6 role, where he has two No.8s ahead of him in Martin Ødegaard and Emile Smith Rowe.
However, the Ghana international may not hold that position down in the long-term, as the Arsenal coaching staff believe Lokonga is better in that area.
The 22-year-old hasn’t played in the Premier League since the 0-0 draw against Burnley on January 23rd.
Mikel Arteta has left the Belgium international on the bench, despite playing the youngster on a regular basis at the start of the season.
So far, Lokonga has made 14 Premier League appearances.
His lack of action in recent weeks makes the suggestion that he is a better No.6 than Partey all the more baffling.
Arsenal must have high hopes for Albert Sambi Lokonga
The No.6 role in Arteta’s system is vital, so it speaks volumes that the coaches at London Colney view Lokonga as the player best suited to it.
Whoever is deployed in that area must ensure they protect the backline, but they must also be an incisive passer of the ball who can break lines and start attacks.
It is a very difficult position to play under Arteta, and if the Gunners believe Lokonga is better at it than Partey, then what does the future hold for the 28-year-old?
Partey isn’t exactly a nippy No.8 like Ødegaard or Smith Rowe, so we’re not quite sure where else he would fit.
In our view, Arsenal will continue to develop Lokonga behind the scenes, like Arteta did with Gabriel Martinelli despite a lack of game time, before he slots in as Partey’s long-term successor.
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