Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga’s time at the Emirates Stadium appears to be drawing to a close, as the 24-year-old Belgian has revealed he has held discussions with the club about his future. After struggling to cement a regular spot in the Gunners’ starting lineup since joining from Anderlecht in 2021, Lokonga spent the 2023/24 season on loan with Premier League newcomers Luton Town, where he featured prominently despite the Hatters’ eventual relegation to the Championship.
Lokonga Expresses Desire to Leave Arsenal
Speaking to BBC Three Counties Radio, Lokonga candidly admitted that the conclusion of his talks with Arsenal was that the “best thing” for him would be to depart the club this summer. “For me, I had a discussion with Arsenal and the conclusion was the best thing for me was to leave the club, so now it’s up to my agent and the club to find something,” the midfielder revealed.
Lokonga’s struggles to establish himself as a regular in Arsenal’s first-team have been well-documented. Despite the initial excitement surrounding his £17 million move from Anderlecht, where he had impressed and earned praise from former head coach Vincent Kompany, the youngster has found it challenging to secure a consistent spot in Mikel Arteta’s squad.
Kompany, who likened Lokonga to Yaya Touré, had even personally reached out to both Arteta and Pep Guardiola to alert them to the Belgian’s talent. “The first thing I did when I saw Sambi is I went to Mikel [Arteta] and also Pep [Guardiola], but Mikel first and said, ‘You got to watch this guy, he’s the new Yaya Toure,'” the former Anderlecht boss revealed.
Lokonga’s Loan Spells at Crystal Palace and Luton Town
In an effort to gain more regular playing time, Lokonga has had previous loan spells at Crystal Palace and, most recently, Luton Town. However, his stint with the Hatters during the 2023/24 season was unable to prevent their relegation to the Championship, despite the midfielder’s regular appearances.
According to reports from Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal are now open to both loan and permanent offers for Lokonga this summer. With the Gunners looking to sign a new midfielder in the upcoming transfer window, the Belgian international is expected to make way as the club seeks to address the needs of Mikel Arteta’s squad.
As Lokonga prepares to return to the Emirates Stadium, he has revealed that the decision on his future now lies with his agent and the club. “I still have a contract there, one year plus a one-year option so let’s see what happens,” the midfielder said, hinting at the possibility of a permanent departure or another loan move.
Despite the disappointing end to Luton Town’s Premier League campaign, Lokonga has expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to play for the club. “If I’m not playing for Luton I will come for sure to see the guys because I think this was the best decision of my life to come here, to play for this club and I thank Rob (Edwards) for inviting me to join him and be on this journey,” he said.
Arsenal’s Midfield Overhaul and Lokonga’s Potential Exit
The impending arrival of a new midfielder at Arsenal this summer is likely to further complicate Lokonga’s chances of establishing himself in Mikel Arteta’s plans. With the Gunners already well-stocked in the middle of the park, the Belgian’s departure, either on loan or permanently, appears to be the most viable option for all parties involved.
According to transfermarkt, Lokonga is currently valued at around £12.7 million, although Arsenal will likely seek to recoup as much of the £17 million they paid for the player in 2021 as possible. The club’s openness to both loan and permanent offers suggests they are willing to explore various scenarios to find the best solution for Lokonga’s future.
At 24 years old, Lokonga is at a crucial stage of his career, and the midfielder’s comments indicate his desire to secure regular playing time, either at Arsenal or elsewhere. The discussions he has had with the club seem to have led to the conclusion that a departure, whether temporary or permanent, would be the best course of action to achieve this goal.
While Lokonga’s time at Arsenal has not lived up to the initial expectations, the player’s potential and the high praise he has received from respected figures like Vincent Kompany suggest that he still has a promising future ahead of him. Whether he finds success elsewhere or manages to turn things around at the Emirates, the Belgian’s next move will be crucial in determining the trajectory of his career.
Lokonga’s Departure Signals Arsenal’s Midfield Overhaul
The impending departure of Albert Sambi Lokonga from Arsenal this summer is a clear indication of the club’s plans to overhaul their midfield options. With the Gunners looking to bring in a new midfielder, the 24-year-old Belgian has acknowledged that his best path forward may lie elsewhere, either on loan or through a permanent transfer. As Lokonga embarks on the next chapter of his career, the focus will be on finding the right fit where he can fulfill his potential and secure the regular playing time he desires.
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