Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta gave some of his fringe players an opportunity to play against Oxford United in the FA Cup on Monday.
They came away with a 3-0 win, but only after the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Granit Xhaka were introduced.
Speaking to the Highbury Squad, Kevin Campbell wasn’t overly convinced by one player.
Arteta has tended to keep his team in the league as settled as possible this season.
The results have been fantastic, with Arsenal five points clear at the top of the Premier League.
It’s meant that a number of players have fought for minutes in other competitions.
After crashing out of the Carabao Cup in November against Brighton, only the FA Cup and Europa League remain options for these players.
Manchester City await in the next round of the FA Cup, and so Arteta may put out his strongest line-up against Pep Guardiola’s side.
All-in-all, it means opportunities are going to be hard to come by for some senior players in the next few months.
It’s why Albert Sambi Lokonga may need a loan move this month to continue his development.
The 23-year-old has had a tough time at The Emirates this season, and didn’t have his best game against Oxford.
Lokonga needs a loan in January
Signed for £17m from Anderlecht 18 months ago, Lokonga was initially thrown straight into the first team.
However, Arsenal and Lokonga struggled, and the one-capped Belgium international lost his place in the team.
This season, games have been hard to come by for Lokonga, who has mainly featured in the Europa League.
His last league start came in Arsenal’s defeat at Old Trafford, and he’s been an unused substitute for the past few months.
Lokonga needs a loan move in January to try and rediscover the form that convince the Gunners to buy him in the first place.
ITV’s pundits were unimpressed last night, and the game definitely changed when he was brought off.
He may be able to take inspiration from Folarin Balogun and Nuno Tavares.
The pair have both thrived in Ligue 1 this season away from Arsenal, and have enhanced their reputations for when they return.
Lokonga may struggle even more next season, with Arsenal constantly linked to the likes of Youri Tielemans to improve their midfield options.
Charlie Patino will also be back from his loan spell at Blackpool which has also been very successful.
Lokonga’s Arsenal future may hang in the balance right now.
He needs to prove he’s worthy of his spot in Mikel Arteta’s squad.
