Arsenal loanee Albert Sambi Lokonga has explained how Patrick Vieira convinced him to join Crystal Palace on loan instead of AS Monaco.
The £53,000-a-week man has admitted that he continues to eye a return to his parent club after his stint at Selhurst Park comes to an end. The ‘special’ midfielder has also openly discussed how he aims to find himself at the London-based club, as he has looked off the pace when given the rare chance to play for the Gunners.
As Albert Sambi Lokonga had the chance to leave Arsenal on loan for either Monaco or Crystal Palace, he has gone on to touch on why Patrick Vieira convinced him to pick the latter.
Lokonga explains how Vieira convinced him to snub Monaco loan to join Crystal Palace
Ultimately, Gooners from across the globe were delighted to see the raw prospect work under the former club captain, who is still regarded as their greatest ever midfielder.
Now, Albert Sambi Lokonga has broken down how Patrick Vieira persuaded him to reject a loan move from Arsenal to AS Monaco in favour to join Crystal Palace.
“He was very decisive in my decision. I spoke to him and had a huge chat with Philippe Clement. Speaking with [Patrick Vieira], he made me understand that I would get more game time and that’s what the difference between me Monaco and Crystal Palace. He promised me minutes”, he told RTBF.
Lokonga continued, “If I wasn’t going to be given any, I would have preferred to stay at Arsenal. He told me that Sambi needed to be Sambi again. The one who plays forwards, takes risks, the one you no longer saw at Arsenal. He wanted me to progress individually and that the team was lacking all my qualities. That they didn’t have a player like me in the squad.”
Ultimately, Albert Sambi Lokonga is looking the part in a Crystal Palace shirt, which goes to show that Patrick Vieira was right to advise him not to join Monaco.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
