Arsenal is one of the inform teams in the English Premier League. They lost the first three games of the campaign but made a comeback with 20 points in the next eight games. Mikel Arteta has found his defensive pairing but is yet to finalize his two central midfielders. One combination that he has tried and has proven to be successful is the partnership of new signing Albert Sambi Lokonga and Thomas Partey in the midfield. Lokonga plays a defensive role and controls the pace of the games. Partey is more of a box-to-box midfielder for Mikel Arteta.
The pair has started in three matches for the Gunners. The above pass map shows the passes attempted by Partey towards the other players. He has attempted 20 passes towards Lokonga and the passes have a less threat rate. Partey has received 29 passes from Lokonga, and those passes also have a very less threat rate. Both players are yet to provide an assist this season. Partey opened his goalscoring account after the midfielder found the back of the net in the game against Aston Villa.
The above table shows the passes attempted by Arsenal players in the match against Aston Villa. Partey attempted 47 passes while his midfield partner Lokonga attempted 43. Lokonga attempted four passes towards Partey and received five passes from him in return. Lokonga attempted one cross, and his three passes landed inside the opposition’s penalty box. Partey attempted a smart pass but none of his passes landed inside the opposition’s penalty box.
The above pass map shows the passes attempted by Lokonga in all the ten matches he has featured in. The midfielder has tried to deliver 13 passes into the opposition’s penalty box. His passing range includes seven smart passes and through passes each. The Belgian midfielder has also attempted 31 long passes. His midfield partner Partey hasn’t been that productive with his passing, only landing four passes into the opposition’s penalty box.
The above chart shows the interceptions made by Partey in the league. The Ghanaian player has made 38 interceptions in the seven matches that he has featured in. Eight interceptions were made while the opposition was passing the ball, while three were made through duels. Partey has also made 50 recoveries of the ball, with 16 recoveries from inside the opposition’s half.
Lokonga has made 37 interceptions, one less than Partey. He has intercepted 11 opposition passes, and the rest of the interceptions were made with others on the ball. Lokonga has made 68 recoveries in ten matches, and 32 recoveries have been made inside the opposition’s half.
The midfield pair of Albert Lokonga and Thomas Partey has started in three matches for the Gunners. They have helped their team to earn seven points in those three matches. Partey has featured in fewer matches due to injury. The team has played well whenever these two are on the pitch, and the manager will hope that both players remain fit throughout the season.
