ARSENAL legend Ian Wright has leapt to the defence of Albert Sambi Lokonga after Martin Odegaard appeared thoroughly frustrated with him during their 1-0 defeat to Man City.
Mikel Arteta’s men were dumped out of the FA Cup on Friday night as Nathan Ake’s second-half strike handed the Premier League champions a spot in the fifth round.
Lokonga, 23, who has started just 10 games so far this season, replaced Thomas Partey at half-time.
And a clip went viral after the match of club captain Odegaard furiously gesturing to him for being out of position.
Lokonga was then the first player to head down the tunnel after the full-time whistle and failed to acknowledge the travelling fans.
But Gunners icon Wright was quick to shut down any negative talk about the midfielder during his post-match analysis.
READ MORE IN SPORT
Speaking on ITV, he said: “With someone like Sambi, he needs minutes, he needs to be playing, he needs to be able to understand and be more wary of where he is and what he needs to do and where he needs to be dropping in.
“You’ve got to kind of sense that danger and that’s why he needs the minutes in games of this quality, because that’s where you learn.”
Former Everton and Crystal Palace man Yannick Bolasie, who was a team-mate of Lokonga’s at Anderlecht, also defended the Arsenal man.
He tweeted: “He’s a young player. Many people have done this but doesn’t mean he’s being disrespectful, I think people just looking for opportunities to get on his back which I don’t think is fair. His qualities will shine through.”
Most read in Football
BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
One fan then told Bolasie they “respectfully disagree” with his take.
Before the Congolese international, 33, added: “My bro I’m not disagreeing about clapping the fans, that should be set in stone.
“I’m just saying I know him and I know he expects a lot of himself because he’s a quality baller just wants to do well so badly for the club, sometimes in the moment head gets fried.”
Arsenal will look to bounce back from their defeat to Man City when they travel to Everton in the Premier League next Sunday.
They then host Brentford, before a mouth-watering clash against Pep Guardiola’s men at the Emirates on February 15.
Arteta’s side currently hold a five-point lead over the defending champions and also have a game in hand.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
