They say competition for places is the key to building a side capable of competing for the biggest prizes. But while Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka would potentially benefit from the addition of another high-class central midfielder – one who’s arrival would keep up the pressure to perform – Albert Sambi Lokonga is unlikely to view such a transfer quite so positively.
According to reporter Matteo Moretto, Arsenal are one of many clubs across the continent keeping tabs on FC Luzern’s Switzerland international Ardon Jashari; a player likened to Jude Bellingham and one who is making no secret of his desire to follow in Xhaka’s footsteps.
Per 90Min, Arsenal are also keeping tabs on Napoli playmaker Stanislav Lobotka. Palmeiras’ Kante-like enforcer Danilo is another option (Jorge Nicola). Ditto Ajax’s Mexican man-mountain Edson Alvarez (90Min).
Albert Sambi Lokonga struggling for game time at Arsenal
The Daily Mail have already claimed that Arsenal ‘intend to spend again in January’; a new centre-midfielder right at the top of Mikel Arteta’s post-Christmas wishlist. Presuming Arteta sees Oleksandr Zinchenko as purely a left-back, that leaves Xhaka, Lokonga and the injury-prone Mo Elneny and Partey as Arsenal’s only deep-lying midfield options.
But, with Lokonga already admitting that a lack of minutes for club and country is becoming a cause for concern – the £16 million signing from Anderlecht has started just two Premier League matches in 2022/23 – reports that Arsenal are looking to bring in a direct rival for his position will hardly be music to his ears.
“Honestly, it’s difficult,” Lokonga tells HLN, dismayed at being dropped by Belgium for the recent international break. “(But) I’m at one of the best clubs in England. I could have played somewhere else every weekend, but that wouldn’t have been the right solution for me.
“I develop better with 20 minutes of playing time at Arsenal than always playing elsewhere”
The Qatar World Cup is likely to come too late for Lokonga. But while he is still relishing the challenge at Arsenal, the 22-year-old’s patience will quickly wear thin. Especially if his first-team opportunities deteriorate even further in the coming months.
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