Returning the first team training on Wednesday after recovering from COVID-19, the Swiss still has two more matches of his suspension to sit out – against Burnley and AFC Wimbledon. This is Mikel Arteta we’re talking about after all. Well, in all honesty, he’s only really keeping it warm while Granit Xhaka plays out his suspension. Not looking out of place, his dabbles in pre-season and starting three of the four Premier League outings this term has helped him settle in.īut there is a challenger to his spot in the team. With five of the six arrivals on the pitch, there was some mistaking for thinking there were only four present: Albert Sambi Lokonga has slotted into this team and division like a glove. Arsenal: 3 improvements Sambi Lokonga needs to make before he can start playing ahead of Mikel Arteta’s preferred choice of Granit Xhaka A flurry of activity in the summer transfer market was laid out on the Emirates turf last time out for everyone to get their teeth sunk into.

Part of the reason it feels new and exciting is because the team is new and exciting. While nobody is going to rub this in anyone’s face or stick some money on Arsenal winning the league, you have to make the most of it. No weekends ruined and no bombardment of ridicule from rival supporters or close friends, in times where there isn’t much to get excited about, 1-0 home victories over lowly Norwich have to be savoured. This strange sensation has gripped the fanbase and it’s all because of this special occurrence referred to as a…. The feeling in and around Arsenal has been unrecongisable in the past few days. Arsenal: 3 improvements Sambi Lokonga needs to make before he can start playing ahead of Mikel Arteta’s preferred choice of Granit Xhaka.

Lokonga football manager 2021