Anderlecht Sporting Director Peter Verbeke has told Sky Sports that he backs Albert Sambi Lokonga to develop into a top defensive midfielder following the Belgian’s move to Arsenal.
The Gunners paid £17m for the U21 international and confirmed his arrival in north London on Monday. Lokonga has penned a long-term contract at the Emirates Stadium and will join his new teammates after completing his isolation period under the UK’s Covid restrictions.
Lokonga spent 10 years at Anderlecht and progressed to make 78 first-team appearances, and captained the side from last December. He also enjoyed his most prolific season last term with three goals and offered three assists across all competitions.
But Verbeke notes the Verviers native is a late bloomer and only truly began to kick on from last term under Vincent Kompany. And that is why he backs Lokonga to shine for Arsenal.
“Sambi is, of course, a very good player,” Verbeke said. “He’s one of the top talents coming from our academy. He can play as a defensive midfield player, he can play as a box-to-box player and, especially the last two seasons at the club, he has developed really well.
“He’s someone who is good on the ball, his technical ability in tight spaces is really good. Good short passing, good long passing. He’s always been a late developer. So, it’s only in the last season that his physical development really came into place.
“It means now he has the qualities to be able to recover more balls, he’s better in duels and that’s why I think he could develop in a role as a defensive midfielder for Arsenal in years to come.”
Arsenal share Verbeke view of Lokonga
Arsenal appear to share Verbeke’s view of Lokonga being a long-term project and will see that he fulfils his potential. Reports prior to the midfielder’s arrival claimed the Gunners view him as one for the future.
The Evening Standard have since reiterated those claims, but add that Arsenal believe Lokonga can also make an immediate impact. Mikel Arteta will hope the Anderlecht product’s experiences in Belgium will now help him thrive from the off.
Arteta will also hope Lokonga lives up to Verbeke’s billing as a mobile midfielder with plenty of potential for Arsenal. The Gunners have spent a fair sum on a young talent with the view to him being in north London for many years, and will want that investment to work out.
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