Anderlecht midfielder Josh Cullen has told talkSPORT that Arsenal fans will love watching Albert Sambi Lokonga as Mikel Arteta’s summer signing has so much potential to fulfil.
The Gunners paid £17m to bring Lokonga to the Premier League in July as Arteta sought to strengthen his core. Arsenal believed strongly in the Belgian having a bright future but with the ability to immediately challenge for a role.
Arteta justified that faith by starting Lokonga in Arsenal’s opening Premier League fixtures against Brentford and Chelsea. And with Granit Xhaka set to miss three months with a knee injury, further chances may now follow.
Cullen played 25 times with Lokonga at Anderlecht last season after joining the Belgian side from West Ham in October. And the Irons product wholeheartedly believes the 21-year-old is among the best midfielders he has played with.
“Sambi is a top player and I think people have seen from his first few months at Arsenal what a player he is,” Cullen said. “But there’s so much room for improvement, as well. He’s still only 21, so there’s plenty of time for him to improve and I’m sure he will.
“But at the same time, I know from playing with him last year that he’s got the ability to play in the Premier League. He’s definitely one of the best midfielders I’ve played with in my career.
“And I suppose the proof is in the pudding when a club like Arsenal come in and pay the money they did for him. He’ll no doubt be a success for Arsenal and I’m sure Arsenal fans will enjoy watching him over the period and seasons to come.”
High praise for Arsenal new boy Lokonga from Cullen
Cullen rating Lokonga among the best midfielders he has ever played with is high praise for the Arsenal new boy. Cullen spent six-years in and around the West Ham first-team after emerging from their academy for his debut in 2015.
Over that time, he featured sparingly alongside the likes of Mark Noble and Declan Rice. With the latter a player who Irons boss David Moyes valued at over £100m this summer, via Sky Sports. So, if Lokonga is on the same trajectory as Rice, Arsenal will be delighted.
More so than Arsenal likely already are with Lokonga’s early performances since leaving Anderlecht and Cullen this summer. The one-cap Belgium international has shown plenty of potential, with an adventurous style and always demands the ball from teammates.
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