Albert Sambi Lokonga had a difficult night for Arsenal last week.
Arsenal were smashed 4-0 away to Liverpool and Mikel Arteta took the Belgian midfielder off early in the second half.
Lokonga only joined the Gunners from Anderlecht in a £17 million deal this past summer.
Anfield was definitely a low point in an otherwise encouraging first four months in North London.
And Arsenal legend Kevin Campbell believes that Arteta will axe him from the first XI for the visit of Newcastle United today, which kicks off at 12.30 GMT.
He told Highbury Squad on YouTube: “He’s got to improve his game. I’m sure he was being shown [the video] and looked at what Liverpool done to him to make him so ineffective.
“He [Arteta] might say I’m bringing in Ainsley [Maitland-Niles] for this game. He might bring in Elneny. And Sambi is young enough to have to accept it.”
Careful
Arteta has to be very careful here.
If Lokonga was deemed good enough to start away at Liverpool then that’s a feather in his cap, really.
But if the Spanish coach drops him immediately afterwards then you wonder what that’ll do to his confidence.
Arteta’s in the business of boosting motivation and morale, not removing it and it could be dangerous to axe Lokonga this early after that performance.
Continuing with him alongside Thomas Partey might just be the better plan of action because long term, it’s the right decision.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
