Albert Sambi Lokonga, the 23-year-old midfielder for Arsenal, has expressed his desire to leave the club this summer. Lokonga joined Arsenal in 2021 from Anderlecht for a fee of £17.2 million but has struggled to establish himself in Mikel Arteta’s side. In an interview on the YouTube channel Wonhee Hyung, Lokonga stated that he is looking to move to a club where he can secure regular playing time.
Lokonga’s lack of game time at Arsenal led to him being loaned out to Crystal Palace in the January transfer window last season. However, it seems that the midfielder is still not satisfied with his opportunities at Arsenal and is seeking a permanent move away from the club.
One potential destination for Lokonga is Burnley, with Vincent Kompany, who managed Lokonga at Anderlecht, keen on being reunited with the midfielder. Kompany even went as far as to compare Lokonga to former Manchester City player Yaya Toure when Arsenal signed him. He described Lokonga as “the new Yaya Toure” and praised his ability to always want the ball and take responsibility on the pitch.
Despite the comparisons to Toure, Lokonga still has areas of his game that he needs to improve. Kompany acknowledged this and mentioned that he had discussed these areas with Lokonga during their time together at Anderlecht. However, he also highlighted Lokonga’s ability to dictate the tempo of the game and make things happen when there is no momentum.
It remains to be seen where Lokonga will end up this summer, but it is clear that he is determined to find a club where he can play regularly and continue his development as a player. Burnley seems like a possible destination, given Kompany’s interest in reuniting with Lokonga, but other clubs may also be interested in signing the talented midfielder.
For Arsenal, losing Lokonga would be a blow, as they had high hopes for him when they signed him last year. However, if Lokonga is not satisfied with his role at the club and believes he can find more playing time elsewhere, it may be in everyone’s best interest for him to move on.
In conclusion, Albert Sambi Lokonga has expressed his desire to leave Arsenal this summer in search of regular playing time. Burnley is reportedly interested in signing him, with Vincent Kompany keen on being reunited with the midfielder. Lokonga has been compared to Yaya Toure and has the potential to become a top player in the future. It remains to be seen where he will end up, but it is clear that he is determined to find a club where he can play regularly and continue his development.