Lokonga: Page 12 - The Arsenal discussion forum and community: One More in the Tolly

Lokonga

Claudius

Qwiss! wrote:
RocktheCasbah wrote:
But that's what I mean Ricky - he's 22, I don't know how many defensive midfielders there are around that have that ability to sniff out danger at such a young age. We're talking about positional awareness really, I think and it's something you learn with experience. But I do agree that that lack of nous, and aggression, is a problem.

Fully agree with that. The only way for him to get the situational awareness is to play games and learn from his mistakes.

I also think people are putting too much focus on some small errors with him that wouldn't have a word said if they happened with Elneny, Xhaka or Partey.

The guy looked like Trent on defense. He was out of position and unaware on goals we conceded. But the talent is there. As fans we need to be comfortable that if you invest in a player like this, you will pay short term cost as he develops. What’s great is offensive talent is there - you can’t teach that. Elneny will never pass like that even if you promise a million dollars.

Clrnc

He needs to play as an 8, not 6 though.

Him in front of Danilo would be great

Coombs

Sambi just isn't a solid enough anchor. He doesn't command space, he infiltrates it and looks to move things forward. He might actually turn out to be a great 6 when he's 29/30, but as it is now, he's not positionally sound enough or physically imposing enough to dominate the center of the park in the way we need.

Gazza M

sambi has always been a frustrating signing for me, emblematic of how lightly we've taken central midfield. theres some ability there, but its not clear to me why we spent 20m on such a project player in an area of the pitch that needed more serious investment. he looks like he needs a loan somewhere, which makes the 20m we spent look funny in the light

flobaba

Yep, that’s the point I’m trying to make. If you asked yourself what are his standout attributes, the answer is he has none. Zero. Decent passing range. That’s it, and he’s been here almost two seasons now? I honestly don’t think he’ll make it here in the center of midfield at premier league level - I don’t think we have the luxury of project development time for that position.

Big Willie

RocktheCasbah wrote:
As an aside, thank you to flobaba for allowing me the opportunity to blather on about the magnificence of Patrick Vieira like the old bastard I am. It's been a while!

Agree with yourself and Ricky, any excuse to talk about Vieira needs to be taken. Take a look at my post in the arsenal reminisce thread. Has a couple good videos as well.

Jed

Needs to work on his defensive intensity, positioning and aggression in the duels.

Sicario

Not sold on this guy.

If Partey is out for a prolonged period we are fucked.

Claudius

This kid and Nelson are similar. Both have all the talent in the world. But they seem to lack cojones. I want them to demand the ball and want to just dominate. Xhaka, Odegaard and Partey all have this confidence.

RocktheCasbah

Yeah, it doesn't seem to be in him, does it? I'm on record here, I like him. He moves beautifully, he's got a good range of passing (that ball out to Tierney in the first half last night was a peach), but he is the dictionary definition of languid. Add in concerns about his physicality and his positioning, then the drop off from Partey to him seems alarming - as Sicario (I think?) said in the match thread, the difference between the two last night was night and day.

Hopefully, the ability to play at a higher tempo is something that comes as he develops, my worry is that it feels like he might need a run of games to get there. I'm not sure he's going to get them - and if he did, it looks as though Arsenal will end up paying in points, to borrow a phrase, as a result.

Sicario

Agree RtC.

If any of these three players have prolonged playing time I think we are screwed especially short term:

1) Lokonga (as discussed)
2) Vieria (talented but physically very weak)
3) Eddie (still too far casual, didn’t press enough for me last night and needs to be more clinical)

If we get ESR back in Jan and sign 1/2 others (quality players not Denis Suarez) then we should be fine.

Need to manage up until the WC basically.

Jed

Very disappointed with his development so far. Still the same player we signed a year ago. Might be lacking in confidence but he’s poor at the basics expected from a #6. Of all the young players in the squad, he’s the only one who hasn’t shown any tangible progress.

Would loan him out in January and sign a new DM who can spell Partey better. Sambi as an immediate stand-in for an unavailable Partey ahead of a potentially crucial game (City, Chelsea, etc) is a frightening prospect.

Burnwinter

Quality player here who's in a negative position at the moment. Not quite good enough for Arsenal due to lack of minutes in real matches, and not getting minutes due to being not quite good enough.

An upgrade and loan would help him and the club. The only other thing would be the opportunity offered by a long absence from Partey—which would screw us.

Gazza M

one authentic moment I noticed in all or nothing was that lokonga did have a bit of a chip on his shoulder about not being given enough playing time by arteta, and eddie telling him to pull his head during one of the chitchats around the lunchtable, and that he has to be patient and keep working hard.

will be interesting to see where his arsenal career goes. i was always a bit puzzled by the signing, we paid about double what id expect for a player of his level/experience. reckon kompany grifted us to get a few million pounds to his club. he might be a little bit in the tavares zone and in need of a solid loan somewhere.

Burnwinter

He's one of those ones who's going to need to be given a chance to have a chance. Unfortunately for as long as we are sitting at the top of the league, we're no longer in the Denilson era.

QuincyAbeyie

I'll won't judge him that harshly as long as he's playing in the wrong position.

Don Pacifico

I think there's some really harsh criticism of Sambi. He's clearly talented but I think most people would agree that he's not been given anywhere near enough playing time to develop. Going he's gets more opportunities in the cup but it may be that longer term, he needs a loan.

Burnwinter

Continue to think he's a good prospect, just don't see it's right or proper to imagine him learning the 6 or 8 role in matches that really matter for us at the moment.

We may regret it if we don't bring in a better contender. That fruitless last minute scramble for Luiz shows that the club's as concerned as the fans.

ohboy

Decent technique and passer of the ball, but zero work rate tracking back, and seems very tentative tackling.

A 6 is vital at this point. What that would mean for Sambi is unclear, because honestly I would also buy an 8 as well. We are now in a position where we can’t afford to gamble.

Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert

There's a fairly easy on the eye footballer there but not much else. Bit of a bust.

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