Arsenal fans must get behind Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga until the end of the season. The pair have come under criticism after some disappointing performances, but both players will be crucial to Arsenal’s Champions League hopes.
After it was confirmed that Kieran Tierney will be out for the rest of the season, and Thomas Partey will be sidelined for a large chunk of the campaign, fans started to doubt Arsenal’s top-four credentials. And rightly so, as Partey and Tierney were key to Mikel Arteta’s system 4-3-3 system that was flourishing before the 3-0 Crystal Palace defeat.
However, fans must display faith in Tavares and Sambi Lokonga. Both players have had excellent spells in the squad this season, and it is important that fans rally behind both of the youngsters so they can regain the form that helped Arteta’s side push for a Champions League place earlier in the season.
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Sambi Lokonga was signed to be an understudy to Thomas Partey ahead of this season, and he now has the perfect chance to showcase his abilities. His statistics this season already prove that he is capable of doing a solid job for the Gunners.
Sambi Lokonga replaced Partey after he came off with the injury against Crystal Palace, and the youngster was certainly impressive. He bought a sense of calm to the Arsenal team and his successful passes and breaking down of the play gave Arsenal breathing space, which they lacked throughout the first half and midway through in the second.
Sambi Lokonga has been tasked with playing in the anchor role multiple times this season, and it is a position that he could nail down once he has fully adapted to the pace of the Premier League. Thomas Partey’s constant injury issues mean that the Belgian is gaining valuable experience this season.
The youngster is a player who thrives when he has the confidence in his game, but that was unfortunately missing during his difficult spell after the turn of the new year. He is certainly a player with quality and his impressive cameo against Crystal Palace will hopefully boost his confidence for the final stretch of the season.
Tavares is also a player who has had an incredibly difficult start to 2022 with Arsenal, having been subbed off before the second half has kicked off in the last two games that he has started. However, if the fans get behind him and he regains the excellent form he should at the start of the season, then Arsenal will certainly benefit.
There was a point during the season where his performances had been so good, that the supporters were calling for him to take Tierney’s spot in Arteta’s starting XI.
His energy up and down the left-hand side was a breath of fresh air for Arsenal and his presence had a contagious feel amongst the squad, and it is crucial that he regains this form, and the fans’ support will certainly help him do that.
Both youngsters will be crucial for Arsenal leading into the final stretch for Champions League football next season. It is important that the fans get behind these players rather than unnecessarily criticising them, as they could be the difference to what determines a successful or disappointing season.
