Date: 20th May 2022 at 6:00am
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Albert Sambi Lokonga’s brother is adamant that the midfielder wants to stay at Arsenal this summer and says a move is ‘out of the question’…

THE LOWDOWN: STRUGGLED

The 22-year-old joined the Gunners in a £15.75m deal from Anderlecht last summer after making a huge impact in the Belgian top flight.

The Belgian arrived at the Emirates Stadium as part of a new cohort of young players to help take the club forward.

However, Lokonga has struggled to secure a regular role under Mikel Arteta this season, starting just 12 games in the Premier League.

To date, the 22-year-old has made 23 appearances for the Gunners, including 18 in the Premier League.

But his brother M’Poku insists he is calm over his brother’s future at Arsenal and says the midfielder is “positive” about the progress he has made in his debut season.

THE LATEST: NOT WORRIED

“We’re not worried,” M’Poku told RTBF.

“Other players like Kevin De Bruyne or Romelu Lukaku have also taken time to establish themselves in the English Premier League. The difference with the Belgian league is big, and Arsenal is not a mid-table club.

“We would have signed with both hands for a first season with 33 per cent of playing time. And Albert is improving every day, especially in training.

“But the competition is tough in the team, with boys like Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka or Mohamed Elneny, and the coach must respect a certain hierarchy.

“He has so much talent; sometimes it seems so easy for him that maybe the coach expects more from him? He shouldn’t rest on his abilities. And maybe he needs to show more in training. I’m not worried, and neither is he.

“It’s [leaving Arsenal] out of the question, at least for him. He is very well integrated into the club and the city, he is happy, although he hopes to play more next season, and his potential would deserve it.”

THE VERDICT: SPECIAL

Last season, Lokonga – who Vincent Kompany has deemed “special” – started 27 Belgian league games, and was captain by the end of the campaign.

While he has seen his game-time limited during his first campaign in the English top-flight, he has indeed managed to show flashes of his talent in an Arsenal shirt.

The £14.4m-rated ace has proven a steady midfield option for Arteta both on the ball and without it so far this campaign. As per SofaScore, he averages 51.8 touches per game highlighting his bravery and courage at looking to dictate games from the middle.

He successfully completes 90% of his passes in his own half as well as 88% in the opposition half meaning he knows how to keep possession, something which is of value to the system at the Emirates. Off the ball, he’s effective too, averaging 1.2 tackles, 0.7 interceptions as well as winning 57% of his ground duels.

Indeed, with more game-time, coaching and developing under his belt in the foreseeable future in north London, it is clear that the former Anderlecht midfielder could prove a pivotal figure for the Gunners.

AND in other news, Arsenal monitoring “fearless” £45m-rated hitman as PL duo hold talks…

 

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