Lokonga: Page 4 - The Arsenal discussion forum and community: One More in the Tolly

Lokonga

goon

He reminds of Edu more than anyone actually. That same calm, smooth, understated demeanour about him. You can see why he's considered an intelligent player too. The perfect understudy for Partey actually. Main test for him is to see how he'd cope under high intensity pressure.

flobaba

Comfy with either foot. Can close his body and disguise a pass. Can drop a shoulder to evade the press.

His awareness needs to improve and don’t think he has the incisive through ball in his locker ala Fabregas but he’ll keep things ticking nicely.

Interesting signing.

Coombs

Maybe not that through ball but he can move it through the lines.

Ray

Think we should loan him out to get regular playing time. Anywhere in Ligue 1, somewhere like Monaco would be great for him to develop.

Captain

Why?

Ray

Captain wrote:
Why?

To play and get experience, as stated in the original post lol. He isn’t starting games with Partey - Xhaka / Xhakas replacement

Captain

He's just played two seasons of first class football and is one of only four centre-mids in the squad.

He's come to be part of the first team.

Ray

Could argue the same thing about Saliba, didn’t stop Arteta sending him out on loan for development.

Captain

You could, but it would be a falsehood. He had played less when he arrived, and probably even now, and he was one of 6-7 possible centrehalfs.

Klaus

I think Lokonga has been brought in to play regularly too. There's no way we'd spend £25 million on a player this summer if he weren't expected to play a big role.

Captain

The other fundamental difference, of course, is that Arteta didn't sign Saliva.

Ray

Captain wrote:
You could, but it would be a falsehood. He had played less when he arrived, and probably even now, and he was one of 6-7 possible centrehalfs.

Except it’s not. When Arteta sent Saliba out on loan this summer, we had Mari, Gabriel and Holding, so 3 CB’s maybe you could add Chambers. And then there’s games whereby Lokonga and Saliba both have around 70 odd appearances in their careers, both also cost similar amounts.

I suspect your second point is more right in that Saliba isn’t an Arteta signing hence he’s sent him out on loan.

Don Pacifico

I swear every thread ends up in a debate about Saliba - it's a miserable version of sic degrees of separation! 😆

Gazza M

xhaka is such a crutch/safety net player, and most coaches seem to end up trusting him despite some glaring deficiencies. can't see lokonga leapfrogging xhaka in the pecking order if he sticks around

Captain

Ray wrote:
Captain wrote:
You could, but it would be a falsehood. He had played less when he arrived, and probably even now, and he was one of 6-7 possible centrehalfs.

Except it’s not. When Arteta sent Saliba out on loan this summer, we had Mari, Gabriel and Holding, so 3 CB’s maybe you could add Chambers. And then there’s games whereby Lokonga and Saliba both have around 70 odd appearances in their careers, both also cost similar amounts.

I suspect your second point is more right in that Saliba isn’t an Arteta signing hence he’s sent him out on loan.

I assumed you were talking like for like, as in when Arteta first encountered the player rather than some time down the line when he had decided he was a dud.

banduan

Gazza M wrote:
xhaka is such a crutch/safety net player, and most coaches seem to end up trusting him despite some glaring deficiencies. can't see lokonga leapfrogging xhaka in the pecking order if he sticks around

based on what exactly? I swear these takes are just beyond me.

QuincyAbeyie

It's beyond you that Lokonga won't leapfrog Xhaka?

Ricky1985

If Xhaka stays and is offered a new contract then I think it would take some terrible form, below his regular level, for him not to start.

Arteta has shown he has the balls to leave out the big boys, but if he's offering Xhaka a new contract, it's on the basis that he will be central to his plans.

Gazza M

banduan wrote:
Gazza M wrote:
xhaka is such a crutch/safety net player, and most coaches seem to end up trusting him despite some glaring deficiencies. can't see lokonga leapfrogging xhaka in the pecking order if he sticks around

based on what exactly? I swear these takes are just beyond me.

how is it hard to understand that an established veteran who's been given a fresh 4 year deal would be expected to start ahead of a prospect from the Belgian league? only way he doesn't is if his form falls off a cliff willian-style

Clrnc

Think Banduan read your post wrongly.

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