Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira has explained why Albert Sambi Lokonga saw a loan from Arsenal as the ‘next step’ for his career. The midfielder sealed his transfer on deadline day.
The 23-year-old will now spend the remainder of the term at Selhurst Park after struggling for minutes at Emirates Stadium. Lokonga only played in six Premier League fixtures under Mikel Arteta for 195 minutes this season. He had also only started in two of their matches.
It was back on October 1 against Tottenham Hotspur when Lokonga last played in the top-flight, as well. The one-cap Belgium international would only serve as an unused substitute in 10 of the Gunners’ following 11 fixtures. He missed a spot on the bench away to Wolves.
Yet despite featuring in all but one of Arsenal’s 19 squads, Arteta granted Lokonga his loan transfer to Crystal Palace. The Spaniard agreed to let the Verviers native link up with Vieira after signing Jorginho from Chelsea. He paid the Blues £10m, rising to £12m, for the Italian.
Lokonga has seldom held a prominent role at Emirates Stadium since his arrival from RSC Anderlecht in July 2021. Arteta paid the Belgian side an initial £15m, rising to £18m, for his transfer. But the midfielder would only go on to act as cover in case of injuries elsewhere.
Vieira explains Lokonga’s decision to join Crystal Palace on loan from Arsenal
Now, Vieira has challenged Lokonga to show why he deserves to play at Crystal Palace on loan from Arsenal. The Gunners great appreciates the potential the midfielder brings from north to south London. But his admiration is not a guarantee of the Belgian getting games.
“He has experience of knowing the Premier League,” Vieira said, via quotes by BBC Sport. “He has got [the] technical ability to play well and to improve our play.
“I still believe that there is more to come from him because he is capable of running in behind and getting involved in the opposition box. His mobility and strength will help us.
“What is important is for him to get more involved and play more games. We will give him that opportunity. Of course, he will have to work hard to deserve to get that space.
“But he believes that this was the right decision for the next step for his career, and we will work with him and improve him like we did with a couple of other players we had on loan.”
Lokonga has only played in 39 games for Arsenal for 2,367 minutes across all competitions since joining them. But Vieira has shown he can help midfielders grow. Chelsea star Conor Gallagher hit eight and assisted three goals over 34 Premier League games during 2021/22.
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