Mikel Arteta Faces Nightmare Scenario After key Error Makes him rue Deadline Transfer Mistake – Mikel Arteta was questioned about just one thing after the transfer window closed. Three days later, the loss to Manchester United prompted the same queries.
Simply put, why did Arsenal not strengthen the center of their midfield? Although Albert Sambi Lokonga played well against Aston Villa, his performance fell short of expectations when he was placed in a tricky away environment akin to Anfield in 2021–2022.
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The first two goals scored by United were the result of two positioning errors and a turnover of the game. The 22-year-old had some encouraging moments when he advanced the ball upfield and defeated Erik ten Hag’s opponents on a number of occasions.
But it’s difficult not to question if Thomas Partey’s absence would have been better addressed if Arsenal had found the midfielder that many thought they needed. Arteta mentioned not being able to bring in the right player in his remarks prior to the trip to the northwest.
“We did business pretty early, but unfortunately in the past 72 hours Thomas Partey got injured in the same place as last time, and then Mo Elneny has a long-term injury. Then we had to react in the market and we tried, but at the end of the day we have to bring in the player that we feel is right for the team and for the club.”
There are suggestions that Arteta and the club were happy for the Egyptian and Lokonga to serve as the depth options should Partey be out of the lineup after Mohamed Elneny’s contract was renewed. A choice that appears risky in the wake of this defeat.
Despite his history of recurring injuries, Partey is not anticipated to be sidelined for an extended period of time. There are 12 league games remaining until the January transfer window opens; if the Ghanaian’s injury results in additional missed games, confidence in facing the more powerful opposition will disappear.
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Only Lokonga has the capability to actually react. It would be interesting to see if he plays against Zurich in midweek given how thin the Arsenal midfield is. Arsenal must decide whether to put its players’ fitness first or the chance of a comeback. The club’s only hope is that the fixture schedule will get off to a good start.
