Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has reportedly decided that 24-year-old midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga does not have a future with the Gunners. According to reports, the north London club is planning to sell Lokonga in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Lokonga joined Arsenal from Anderlecht in 2021 for a reported fee of £17.2 million. Despite making 39 appearances for the club since his arrival, he has struggled to secure a regular spot in Arteta's first team.
Currently on loan at Premier League club Luton Town, it is claimed that there will be no place for him back at Emirates once his loan spell concludes. The Gunners are now actively seeking potential suitors for this defensive midfielder.
Lokonga is struggling at Luton Town this season
Lokonga’s time at Luton Town has been marred by injuries which have limited his appearances across competitions to just eleven games. However, during these games he managed to provide two assists and was called upon by Rob Edwards whenever available.
Despite these struggles and limited opportunities, the former Crystal Palace midfielder remained optimistic about his future with Arsenal beyond his current loan spell with Luton Town.
Luton Town midfielder, Albert Sambi Lokonga, said:
"I think I can have a future at Arsenal, but that will depend on my performances here. I’ve always said that as long as I have a contract with the Gunners, I’d like to make my mark there.”
Arsenal will look to cash in on Lokonga in the summer
With two years remaining on his contract with Arsenal, Lokonga will continue playing for Luton Town until the end of this season before potentially departing permanently from north Londoners' side.
The decision by Mikel Arteta signals an uncertain future for Albert Sambi Lokonga who had high hopes when he arrived from Anderlecht in 2021. Despite showing promise during some of his performances both at Emirates and Kenilworth Road (Luton), recurring injuries and lack of consistent game time seem to have influenced Arteta's decision.
As the summer transfer window approaches, it will be interesting to see where Lokonga lands next and whether he can reignite his career away from Arsenal. For sports fans and sports betting enthusiasts, this is certainly a development to keep an eye on.
