All eyes will be on Arsenal’s midfield tonight as Mikel Arteta’s in-form side visit Brighton & Hove Albion.
Earlier this week the Gunners were rocked by news that Granit Xhaka could potentially miss the rest of the year through injury.
Xhaka proved his class in Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Spurs last weekend and he’ll be a big miss for the next three months.
Arteta must now decide who to start alongside Thomas Partey in place of Xhaka against the Seagulls tonight – and Albert Sambi Lokonga is a good shout.
The Belgium international, who joined the North Londoners from Anderlecht this past summer, was certainly all smiles at London Colney on Friday as Arteta put his side through their paces.
Here’s some photos of the 21-year-old alongside star Emile Smith Rowe:
Is Lokonga starting today?
That’s a bit too early to say.
When Xhaka was sent off against Manchester City in August, Arteta used Ainsley Maitland-Niles in midfield ahead of Lokonga.
And it’s very possible that the Hale End graduate could deputise for the Swiss star once again.
That being said, Lokonga was easily Arsenal’s best and most impressive player under Arteta for the month of August and it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Spanish coach does punt for him.
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