On-loan Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga has thanked Patrick Vieira for ‘giving his smile back’ in what appears to be a shrouded dig at Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners icon was sacked by Crystal Palace on Friday with the Eagles failing to win a single Premier League game since the World Cup. The decision brought to an end Vieira’s 18-month spell at Selhurst Park after he replaced Roy Hodgson.
One of the former Nice boss’ final signings for Palace, Sambi Lokonga has become one of the first players to give his response to Vieira’s exit. He posted to his Instagram story with a picture of the pair.