'Get out of my club' - Arsenal fans have identified where the game was lost vs Man City
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Arsenal are out of the FA Cup following a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in their fourth-round tie at the Etihad Stadium - with supporters turning on midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga.
Nathan Ake's lovely effort in the second half was enough to secure victory for the home side on Friday evening in an incredibly close game.
It's the first time the Premier League's top two have met this season, with City's win over the league leaders providing a psychological boost going into the business end of the campaign.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta decided to rest several players, including captain Martin Odegaard, but started influential midfielder Thomas Partey.
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Lokonga replaced Partey during the break to make his 15th appearance of the season. It wasn't one he'll want to remember.
The 23-year-old struggled to cope as City grew into the game and arguably could've done more to stop Ake on the goal. He looked sluggish as Jack Grealish occupied Takehiro Tomiyasu and Bukayo Saka, opening space for the Dutchman to attack.
Lokonga attempted to get in Ake's way, but he bent a right-footed shot past Matt Turner and into the net.
Fans believe Lokonga, who joined Arsenal from Anderlecht in 2021 for £17.2 million, has been handed too many chances and want to improve on him.
One person said: "Lokonga really deflates the quality of this squad."
Another tweeted: "Arteta putting Lokonga on to show upper management exactly how much we need to sign another central midfielder is a next-level move."
Someone commented: " Lokonga is just not it and don’t think a loan will do him justice just sell him immediately."
While a fourth added: " Lokonga was doing something on the Manchester City goal. What it was, I'm not sure. But he was standing on the pitch somewhere vaguely in the area of the play."
Ligue 1 outfit Monaco made an approach to take Lokonga on loan for the rest of the season this month, although it's been rejected on Arteta's request.
Arsenal are light in central midfield following an injury to Mohamed Elneny. Earlier on Friday, their serious interest in Brighton's Moises Caicedo came to light. Chelsea had made a move for the Ecuador international earlier in the window but Brighton rejected £55 million.
The Seagulls have turned down a £60 million bid from Arsenal. The Gunners have already lured Leandro Trossard from the AMEX Stadium this month after a falling out with manager Roberto De Zerbi.
It remains to be seen if they'll return with another bid for Caicedo, who is said to be open to a move.
Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics: Arsenal, Manchester City, FA Cup
