‘Not good enough’: Kevin Campbell blasts performance of £17m Arsenal player v Oxford in FA Cup
Kevin Campbell has slammed Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga who looked ‘way off it’ during Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Oxford United in the FA Cup on Monday evening.
The former striker told the Highbury Squad that Lokonga ‘didn’t look good enough’ for Mikel Arteta’s side, despite being handed a rare start.
Granit Xhaka, ahead of the north London derby against Tottenham on Sunday, was on the bench and he came on just after the hour mark for the Belgian.
That’s when the tide of the game started to change for the Premier League leaders and they were able to break down the League One outfit.
It started with a Mohamed Elneny header via a set-piece, before Eddie Nketiah netted a brace to continue his strong goalscoring form since Gabriel Jesus’ injury.
Nonetheless, whilst many Arsenal players can hold their heads high for their performances, Campbell thinks Lokonga simply didn’t take his chance yesterday.
“The quality that came on, which was so evident to how we play,” said Campbell. “We saw Granit Xhaka get right stuck in. Chasing people into the corner, we never saw Lokonga do that.
“Granit Xhaka wins us the ball back, then he keeps us playing. Zinchenko with his passing. He got on the ball, and the first thing he knocks one right over the top. All of a sudden Oxford have to go back, and then it gives us more room to play in midfield.
“Whereas, this is no disrespect to Kieran Tierney and no disrespect to Lokonga, because they are trying, if you get an opportunity against Oxford, then you have to take it.
“Lokonga wants to stake a claim. He looked way off it. He did. He looked way off it. He didn’t look good enough – he is talented, but he’s not taking his chances – Sambi’s not ready to affect the game, he (Arteta) had to take him off.”
LOAN MOVE FOR LOKONGA?
The issue facing the 23-year-old is that he is half-cooked, in terms of earning regular minutes, and in truth, he’s not going to get that ahead of Thomas Partey or Granit Xhaka.
Even if there is an injury or suspension, then someone like Oleksandr Zinchenko or Mohamed Elneny will, more than likely, fill that midfield role.
Whilst Arteta needs more depth to his side in Arsenal’s title push, for Lokonga alone, it’s probably best the £17 million star (BBC Sport) heads out on loan in order to progress his career.
