If Mikel Arteta thought playing a Premier League match the night before deadline day would end up being a stumbling block in his transfer plans, then the Arsenal boss would've been delighted to come away from the Gunners' battling 2-1 victory over Aston Villa with a big silver lining.
After receiving "not good news" regarding Mohamed Elneny's hamstring injury, which is expected to keep the Egyptian out "for a while," Arteta has found himself with a shortage of central midfielders and in dire need of reinforcements. First-choice No.6 Thomas Partey is already sidelined with a thigh issue, midfield alternative Oleksandr Zinchenko has also missed Arsenal's last two games thanks to a knock and newly-appointed captain Martin Odegaard is now suddenly a doubt for Sunday's trip to Manchester United.
But as the young Albert Sambi Lokonga partnered elder statesman Granit Xhaka during Wednesday's win at the Emirates, the Gunners came across a man who should be on their radar with less than 24 hours of the summer transfer window to go - and someone they stand a chance of signing.
