Mikel Arteta set to make Albert Sambi Lokonga decision Thomas Partey blow

Arsenal will reportedly be missing Thomas Partey for their opening game with Brentford after he suffered an ankle injury in the Gunners' pre-season friendly against Chelsea on Sunday. Partey’s injury means that head coach Mikel Arteta will have a selection dilemma on his hands as to who will start in that midfield-two birth if he opts to start with his trusted 4-2-3-1 formation. This might provide an opportunity for Albert Sambi Lokonga to make his Premier League debut alongside Granit Xhaka and that’s what Arsenal reporter Kaya Kaynak believes will happen in the game against the Bees.

“It’s a real shame that Partey is out because he was so good in pre-season and was fantastic throughout the friendlies,” he said.   “I think he was one of Arsenal’s best players, but I’d put Sambi Lokonga in second who has been fantastic. He has been a great signing and is a very similar player to Partey with that passing range and ability to receive the ball deep and turn, which some Arsenal players are not quite as confident in doing.   “We’ve seen Mohamed Elneny be a little bit shaky playing out from the back at times. Xhaka looks like he’ll be staying now, so I would assume on that Brentford game, we’ll see a midfield two of Xhaka and Lokonga in the league opener.   “However, things may have changed by then. Joe Willock and Ainsley Maitland-Niles might have left the club or they could still be involved and of course there’s Elneny as well.”  

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