Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga may well rethink his future with the Gunners if he continues to be left out of Mikel Arteta’s playing squad this season.
The 22-year-old has already admitted he was "disgusted" with Belgium manager Roberto Martinez's recent treatment of him and considered calling it quits with the international side, while he concedes his Arsenal situation is "difficult" with his frustration almost reaching breaking point last term.
Lokonga’s underwhelming first campaign in the Premier League last season has been followed up with just two starts in 10 top flight games this term, leaving his World Cup hopes with the Red Devils hanging by a thread.
After impressing as captain of Belgian outfit Anderlecht during the 2020/21 campaign, in which he recorded three goals and three assists in 37 games across all competitions, Arsenal snapped the youngster up for approximately £17.2million last summer.
He made 24 appearances across all competitions last season, including 12 starts in the Premier League, but failed to hold down a regular starting spot under Mikel Arteta as the Gunners narrowly missed out on a top four finish and Champions League football.
Things haven’t improved in the current campaign, with Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka becoming Arteta’s preferred partnership in midfield as they sit top of the table after nine wins from their first 10 games, with Lokonga making just two starts in that time.
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He has become a regular in the Europa League, starting all three victories so far, and it is likely that the Belgian will be restricted to cup competition appearances unless there are further injuries to either Xhaka or Partey throughout the remainder of the season.
Speaking to La Derniere Heure, he said: "Honestly, it’s difficult. I’m at one of the best clubs in England. I could have played somewhere else every weekend, but that wouldn’t have been the right solution for me. It’s a personal decision [to stay at Arsenal]. I wanted to give myself another year to stay at Arsenal and then see what happens.
Lokonga also added: "At the end of last season, I almost snapped. I called my agent to ask him if staying at Arsenal was a good idea. He comforted me in my choice, even though I know I need to start more often to develop."
Nuno Tavares, who also joined last summer but struggled for consistency during his first campaign, was sent out on loan to Marseille this season to provide him with better first team opportunities. With the January transfer window approaching, Lokonga could opt to do the same.
And he may already have that perfect opportunity, with Italian outlet Calciomercato reporting that Juventus boss Max Allegri is very keen on the Belgian and is willing to offer United States international Weston McKennie as part of a swap deal.
Should Lokonga’s lack of game time deny him a place in Belgium’s squad for the World Cup next month, then it could be something he seriously considers in order to avoid similar situations in the future. However, Arsenal see a long-term future for the 21-year-old and may be reluctant to let him leave, even if they cannot offer him the required game time he desires.
