Sambi Lokonga scout report: Is the Anderlecht academy product the solution to Arteta’s midfield struggles?

There’s been a lot of controversy around Arsenal’s transfer strategy. They have been judged for selling some of their best players but also signing new additions that wouldn’t necessarily bring what’s needed to the team. And that, being followed by an inconsistent performance has always been very disappointing for their fanbase.

This summer the Gunners are quite active on the transfer market and it looks like they are trying to fill in the gaps in each line. The team’s technical director Edu and the manager Mikel Arteta have teamed up in bringing young talents with big potential in aim to develop them into the first team players that the Londoners need to get back to winning ways.

The team already made an important move by signing the left-back Nuno Tavares and by securing Emile Smith-Rowe’s long-term signature, giving him the famous No. 10 jersey. This double-sided commitment proves that Arteta is likely to rely on Smith-Rowe and trust him in the attacking midfield position.

This summers second signing is Albert Sambi Lokonga, a midfielder who they brought from the Belgian side Anderlecht. While Arsenal have struggles in different areas, it seemed like the midfield is the most problematic line failing to provide threat up front and making mistakes defensively too. That’s why Sambi Lokonga’s signing was a move in the right direction, especially with Granit Xhaka being rumoured to depart and join the Serie A side, Roma.

In this scout report in the form of tactical analysis we examine Lokonga’s playing style and what could he bring to Arsenal’s table. Is he the solution to Arteta’s midfield struggles?

What are Arsenal missing in midfield?

Looking at the Gunners’ 2020/21 season their inefficiency in front of the goal really stands out. While the first to be blamed have been their attackers, Arteta’s problems have been deeper than that.

His depth in the midfield positions is not up to standard and the players he can rely on have rather similar profiles. That doesn’t give him the needed versatility and confidence in possession. Arsenal were struggling not with converting chances into goals but more with creating chances at all. In possession, there were often gaps between the midfield line and forward line, especially in the absence of Emile Smith-Rowe in the attacking midfield position.  The Londoners’ actions in possession were narrow and their positioning off the ball wasn’t helping in breaking through the oppositions’ pressing structures.

The team struggled to break through the press and were often stuck in the central areas, unable to open the passing lanes and progress the ball efficiently. Thomas Partey’s ability to split his responsibilities between defence and attack was frequently tested and there wasn’t a box to box player to help with ball progression and always seek a way to break pressure.

To employ his possession-based style of play, Arteta’s needs someone who’s confident on the ball and can keep the tempo in possession while constantly looking for open spaces to initiate ball movement. He also needs a good dribbler who can work well under pressure when with the ball.

How can Lokonga support the team in possession?

Starting from the Anderlecht academy, Lokonga’s successful development gave him the chance to become a regular starter in the first team at a young age. Now, at 21, he has already built his own style of play with a distinguished flair to ball progression. Playing both as a defensive midfielder and a centre midfielder has allowed him to develop great qualities that support the team in advancing the ball and breaking through pressing structures both with his movement on and off the ball.

While his defensive midfield position would suggest greater involvement in the defensive actions, it is in fact his actions in possession that draw attention. In each of both positions, Lokonga has a more box to box role in which he constantly moves all over the field, using his positioning to offer quality passing options to his teammates, while his spatial awareness and anticipation skills help him in providing well-measured passes that help the team in retaining possession and moving forward.