Arsenal host Tottenham Hotspur in tomorrow afternoon’s North London derby and Mikel Arteta has a bit of a dilemma in midfield.
Granit Xhaka is free to face Nuno Espirito Santo’s side after serving a three-match suspension.
But there is a lot of Arsenal fans who want to see Albert Sambi Lokonga play ahead of the Swiss star against Tottenham.
The Gunners signed Lokonga for £15 million during the summer transfer window and was one of Arteta’s most consistent players during their early-season struggles, when the Emirates Stadium side lost their first three Premier League games.
And Arsenal legend Kevin Campbell feels that the 21-year-old is ‘more than ready’ to start the derby.
He told The Highbury Squad podcast on YouTube: “How else does a young international – supremely gifted – get ready for the North London derby other than playing it? He can play against Chelsea and all the others. Why is he not ready? He’s ready. He’s more than ready.”
Will Lokonga face Tottenham?
In a word, probably.
Although Xhaka is ‘flying’ at London Colney in terms of training, according to Arteta himself, he hasn’t kicked a ball since the defeat by Manchester City.
Thomas Partey is guaranteed to start after getting another hour under his belt against AFC Wimbledon in midweek and Lokonga is simply that bit sharper than Xhaka right now.
Arteta has also played Ainsley Maitland-Niles in midfield as of late, but Lokonga is the best possible partner for Partey against Spurs and the Spanish coach should act accordingly.
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