As the club football break for the World Cup fast approaches, Arsenal fans' attentions are quickly beginning to turn to the January transfer window. Its opening may well be just under two months away, but with the Gunners top of the Premier League many are keen to see them strengthen in order to solidify their unexpected title charge.
Reports have suggested that KSE would be willing to do this, with Josh Kroenke having been in attendance for Sunday's 1-0 over Chelsea. Mikel Arteta meanwhile has hinted that there is some veracity in these claims by stating that his side are now targeting higher calibre additions to the squad.
"Obviously with the position that we are in right now as well, it demands as well another level of player - and that player has to be available," the Spaniard told reporters last week. "We will look at everything and let’s see what we can do." Forwards Facundo Torres and Mykhalo Mudryk have been linked, while Eintracht Frankfurt's Evan Ndicka has been mentioned as someone who could improve the left centre back spot. Another position where Arsenal may look to strengthen is in midfield.
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This is in part amid the performances of Albert Sambi Lokonga. The Belgian was brought in last summer from Anderlecht for £18m as a long-term successor to Thomas Partey at the base of the midfield. Despite some initial promising signs he has struggled to fully convince in the number six position and when Partey was ruled out for the end of last season with a thigh injury, it was telling that Arteta opted to use Mohamed Elneny as his lone pivot for crucial games in the race for the top four instead. This was frustrating for Lokonga who has admitted he came close to snapping due to his lack of game time.
As the new season approached though, it appeared that there was going to be a chance for the Belgian to prove himself once more. The plan was to use him as cover for Granit Xhaka in the left eight position during Europa League group stage matches, with Elneny filling in as the cover for Partey instead. Pre-season seemed to indicate that this was where we might see the best of the Belgian, but when Elneny was ruled out for three months with a hamstring injury in August this was turned on its head.
Arsenal looked to move late in the window to sign Douglas Luiz to operate as cover for Partey in the deeper lying role, but after Aston Villa refused to budge it became apparent that Lokonga was going to have to play there once again. As with last season there are still some issues many have with utilising the 22-year-old in this position. While he has the capacity to be excellent in possession, he is prone to lapses of concentration out of it, and this has arguably cost Arsenal in big games such as their defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.
With Elneny now back from injury though it appears that we are finally going to see Lokonga playing in the left eight role again. The Belgian was used as cover for the suspended Xhaka in last week's 1-0 victory over FC Zurich and speaking after the game, Arteta admitted that he had hoped to use him there more often this season.
"It’s true that we played him more there in pre-season," the Spaniard admitted. "When we signed him, we had another idea – but in pre-season, he developed and played well in that position."
Barring an injury, it is unlikely that Lokonga is going to be involved in Arsenal's final Premier League game before the World Cup against Wolves on Saturday, so with that in mind, Wednesday's Carabao Cup clash with Brighton represents a huge opportunity for the Belgian. Lokonga has been vocal in his desire for more minutes, and Arteta has challenged him to back this when up when he does get opportunities.
"We will see more and he needs to prove that what he's asking for, he can produce on the pitch," the Spaniard told football.london . "And that's the challenge for every single player, to raise the level and put the right competition in the team, and when you play, perform in a way that [means] we can win and play good enough to win the games."
football.london understands that the Gunners could go back in for Palmeiras' midfielder Danilo after missing out on him in the summer, while Youri Tielemans is still yet to sign an extension with Leicester City. Both could be options in January, but if Lokonga does well enough in the position that appears to suit him more, then he may just be able to convince Arteta that he still has a long-term future at the club.
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