Karen Carney and Ian Wright react to Lokonga display at Oxford

Karen Carney told ITV (broadcast on 9/1; 22:11) that she expected more from Albert Sambi Lokonga during Arsenal’s FA Cup win over Oxford United, while Ian Wright suggested that it is not happening for the Belgian at the Emirates right now.

The Gunners are safely through to the fourth round of the FA Cup after a 3-0 victory at the Kassam Stadium. The tie presented Mikel Arteta with the chance to make a number of changes.

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Lokonga was one of those who came in for the Premier League leaders. Unfortunately, it has been a tough time for the 23-year-old. He has not played in the top-flight since the North London derby at the start of October.

It is fair to say that he has struggled to impress since joining the Gunners. And Carney suggested that he was outshone by Fabio Vieira against the League One side. Meanwhile, Wright was a little more sympathetic to the youngster as he continues to struggle.

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“Yeah I probably expected more from Lokonga. But Vieira as the game stretched on, we saw his quality and his assists. I still think the key thing is his physicality and imposing himself on the game,” Carney told ITV.

“I think with Lokonga as well, Oxford played very well in the time he was on. It was very hard for him to find space and that. Unfortunately for him, he got taken off and Vieira stayed on and he was able to show the quality once they got a little bit tired and he got a little bit more space. You’re hoping at some stage it will kick in for Lokonga because at the moment, it doesn’t seem like it’s happening for him,” Wright added.

Something is not working for Lokonga at Arsenal. He arrived with a big reputation having captained Anderlecht before his move to the Premier League.

He looks a long way off being that sort of player for the Gunners. Lokonga does not appear to be putting any pressure on Arteta’s first-choice midfield.

And with Manchester City ahead in the next round of the FA Cup, it is hard to see where Lokonga’s next start is coming from. Certainly, Arteta is hardly going to be in the mood to rotate in the Premier League anytime soon.

As Wright suggests, it is too soon to write Lokonga off entirely. But the signs are concerning. Perhaps a loan move in one of the coming windows may hand him his best chance of being a long-term success at Arsenal.

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