Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has told the club’s official website that he has been very impressed by the development and progress of Albert Sambi Lokonga.
Arteta made the comments about Lokonga after the match between Arsenal and Burnley at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
The Premier League game in London finished in a goalless draw.
Arsenal manager Arteta has said that he did not expect the 22-year-old midfielder to grow and develop as much as he has since joining from Anderlecht in the summer of 2021.
Arteta on Lokonga
Arteta said about Lokonga: “I think he is growing, he is playing better and better.
“I think he had a really good game the other day against Liverpool, his understanding of the game, he is managing the physicality much better, he is maturing.
“It’s a lot to ask. When we signed him, the expectation that we had for him in the first year was to start adapting but he has had to play many more minutes than we expected and the kid is trying his best, and I think he’s doing pretty well.”
Important player for Arsenal
In our opinion, Lokonga is a very important player for Arsenal and should be considered a key player in midfield.
Now, of course, we know that Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka are the two central/defensive midfielders in Arteta’s team.
However, when Partey and/or Xhaka are not playing, then Lokonga has stepped up.
We think that the Belgium international is a very good and promising midfielder who can only get better in the coming years.
Moreover, let’s not forget that Lokonga is only 22.
The Arsenal no. 23 has made 10 starts and four substitute appearances in the Premier League so far this season.
Lokonga has also made three starts and one substitute appearance in the Carabao Cup and has played once in the FA Cup for the Gunners this campaign.
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