Arsenal fans highlight key difference between Sambi Lokonga & club’s other midfield options following impressive debut

The Arsenal faithful have flocked to social media over the last 24 hours, to provide their respective reactions to the debut display of new signing Albert Sambi Lokonga.

Gunners cruise

Mikel Arteta’s men were back in action on Saturday evening, in a behind-closed-doors friendly outing.

As the North Londoners step up their preparations for the season ahead, they were actually due to fly out to Florida this week, to participate in a tournament alongside the likes of Inter Milan and Everton.

However, following a small Covid-19 outbreak at the club, the decision was made to cancel the trip at the last minute.

Following a small number of positive COVID tests among the planned party to travel to America tomorrow, we have sadly been forced to withdraw from the Florida Cup.

This difficult decision is based on ensuring the health and wellbeing of our players and staff.

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 20, 2021

This of course resulted in a concerning gap being created in Arsenal’s pre-season plans, forcing the club to seek out alternative opponents.

In turn, a behind-closed-doors friendly meeting with Championship outfit Millwall was organised to take place at the Gunners’ London Colney training ground.

And Arteta’s men, after stuttering to a draw and defeat in their first two fixtures of the summer, finally got back on track on Saturday, courtesy of a dominant 4-1 win.

Nicolas Pepe was first on target for the hosts, rounding out a quality team move, before Calum Chambers got in on the act, slotting home after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s spectacular effort rattled the crossbar:

🔄 An @Auba-head kick…

Finished by @CalumChambers95 ✅ pic.twitter.com/MR9aZuHXqh

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 25, 2021

And there was still time for attackers Folarin Balogun and Alexandre Lacazette to add some gloss to the scoreline, after being introduced off the bench.

‘Progressive’

Despite the last-minute nature of Arsenal’s latest outing, a host of the club’s supporters nevertheless managed to take in the action at London Colney, through online streaming channels.

And, on the back of the clash coming to a close, many could not help but point towards the performance of one player in particular.

The individual in question? Sambi Lokonga.

Belgian midfielder Lokonga’s move to the Emirates was finally made official earlier this week, following a lengthy saga which spanned the early months of the summer window.

The 21-year-old, in turn, was handed his debut in his new club’s colours versus Millwall 24 hours ago.

And to say that Arsenal’s fans were impressed by the early signs would be putting it lightly.

Taking to social media, the Gunners faithful, in their numbers, highlighted one specific aspect of Lokonga’s game which they feel could set the youngster apart from a number of the club’s alternative options in the middle of the park:

Lokonga is so forward-thinking with his pass selection. Always looking to pick out players in between the lines instead of taking the easy sideways option and has the ability to pull it off. Good balance too. Very early days but really excited to see more of him.

— LTArsenal™ (@ltarsenal) July 24, 2021

Lokonga is everything we wanted Guendouzi to be.

— Next Generation Arsenal 🔴⚪️ (@scoutingindoors) July 24, 2021

A solid debut for Lokonga. Constantly showing for the ball. Tidy in possession. Seemed comfortable filling in at leftback to allow Nuno to push forward. Positive signs.

— Patrick Timmons (@PatrickTimmons1) July 24, 2021

Got the nerves knocked off with a few wayward touches but is already more forward thinking that xhaka and elneny combined

— 49 49 (@jamespatbrennan) July 24, 2021

really attacking minded with his passing, complete opposite of Elneny

— ³⁵ (@Martinellinho35) July 24, 2021

Finally a midfielder that tries to pass forward pic.twitter.com/Ao4xJApRwP

— Jouadki (@jouadki) July 24, 2021

Looked comfortable when in possession of the ball, always seemed to attempt to play the ball forward which is something we’ve missed in midfield for a long time, would really like to see him in a pivot with Partey next year

— fredster (@fredsterafc) July 24, 2021

Comfortable on the ball , Always thinking to make the forward pass, Reads the game well

— C (@gunnercw) July 24, 2021

Impressive how progressive Lokonga is. Early days, however.

— Eduardo Hagn (@EduardoHagn) July 24, 2021

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#	Team	MP	D	P
1	Arsenal FC	0	0	0
2	Aston Villa	0	0	0
3	Brentford FC	0	0	0
4	Brighton & Hove Albion	0	0	0
5	Burnley FC	0	0	0
6	Chelsea FC	0	0	0
7	Crystal Palace	0	0	0
8	Everton FC	0	0	0
9	Leeds United	0	0	0
10	Leicester City	0	0	0
11	Liverpool FC	0	0	0
12	Manchester City	0	0	0
13	Manchester United	0	0	0
14	Newcastle United	0	0	0
15	Norwich City	0	0	0
16	Southampton FC	0	0	0
17	Tottenham Hotspur	0	0	0
18	Watford FC	0	0	0
19	West Ham United	0	0	0
20	Wolverhampton Wanderers	0	0	0

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