Albert Sambi Lokonga has admitted that some Arsenal fans will ‘not love me’ but he is hoping they like his style of football, as he told the club’s official website.
The 21-year-old was a £17 million purchase from Anderlecht in the summer (BBC Sport) and a player Arsenal have high hopes for.
Over the years, Anderlecht have been known to bring through some top talents and sell them on for a top price, including Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans.
If Lokonga can go down the same path as the 2021 FA Cup winner, then Arsenal have a seriously top quality player on their hands.
Lokonga admitted that the feelings about him will be mixed, but he also shared that when meeting Arsenal supporters, whilst shopping, they have told him that they are ‘happy’ with his arrival.
“I hope they will like my style of play,” said Lokonga. “I know fans will either love me or not love me, but I hope most fans will love me because the most important thing to me is to carry the right values of being a human being. That’s what I want to do here.
“I had a very strong connection with the Anderlecht fans. I think I was popular because I’d grown up there. I knew everyone at the club and had been captain. They knew me very well. So it would be great to have that again at Arsenal.
“I’ve already met a few Arsenal fans when I’ve been out, shopping or something like that. A few fans have recognised me and asked for a picture. They’ve been very friendly. They say they are happy to have me at the club and are telling me to push for the team, to do something special this year.”
Even though Lokonga has more senior players ahead of him, he is still being used by Mikel Arteta and handed some very healthy minutes.
Granit Xhaka’s injury, which could see him out until the end of the year, puts more emphasis on a player like Lokonga.
Added with that, in January, Thomas Partey will be expected to leave for the Africa Cup of Nations, so Lokonga will become even more important.
During these early stages, the Belgium international has shown this great ability to control the situation around him, remain calm in possession, be efficient with the ball and showcase the ability to drive forward.
Alongside Ben White, Gabriel and Aaron Ramsdale, there is no doubt that these players are the defensive structure for Arsenal in years to come.
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