Arsenal boss Arteta identifies new season role for Lokonga | OneFootball

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta sees Albert Sambi Lokonga's role in central midfield.

The Mirror says Arteta's use of new signing Sambi Albert Lokonga in Arsenal's behind closed doors friendly win against Millwall suggests that the Belgian could well end up being Granit Xhaka's long-term replacement.

The Gunners easily saw off their Championship opponents in a 4-1 victory, with Calum Chambers, Alexandre Lacazette, Nicolas Pepe and Folain Balogun getting on the scoresheet.

Lokonga's £15m move from Anderlecht to the Gunners was confirmed on Monday, and the 21-year-old midfielder became the second new face through the door at the Emirates this summer following the capture of Portuguese full-back Nuno Tavares.

He got his first taste of action in an Arsenal shirt as he came on as a substitute for Mohamed Elneny at half-time, and impressed playing alongside Thomas Partey in the middle of the park.

The youngster quickly settled into the game and provided a much-needed energy boost to the team, dictating play from deep and occasionally covering left-back Kieran Tierney when he made offensive runs down the flank.