Albert Sambi Lokonga has spoken about how a phone call with Patrick Vieira convinced him to complete a January loan move from Arsenal to Crystal Palace this week.
Lokonga joined the Gunners from Anderlecht just over 18 months ago, with Manchester City legend and former Anderlecht boss Vincent Kompany comparing the youngster to footballing icon Yaya Toure. However, the Belgian has so far failed to live up to the billing, struggling for consistency and falling down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium.
The north Londoners then decided it was time to send him out on loan during the January window, with Palace a sensible destination considering they are currently managed by former Arsenal captain Vieira.
READ MORE: Aaron Ramsdale reveals the one unexpected Arsenal player who 'holds everything together'
"It was not easy [to leave Arsenal] because as you can see they are top of the league, but for me the important thing was the confidence of the coach", Lokonga said when asked about his move to Selhurst Park. "I had him on the phone and it was a good opportunity to come here, to show myself and to help the boys reach their objectives.
"He said to me ‘welcome’. He is going to push me to be a better player – I am looking forward to it."
Vieira also spoke about the Eagles' decision to recruit the 23-year-old, revealing that he spoke with Arsenal sporting director Edu before bringing in the talented midfielder. “I spoke with Edu, not with Mikel [Arteta],” the Frenchman admitted.
“Edu really gave me the picture about the player on the field and off the field. We know what kind of player we’re taking and which side of the game he needs to improve.
"He is a player who will help us. He was looking for a place where he could play, where he would have an opportunity to keep developing himself.
“Of course, coming to us, we have players in that position – nothing is guaranteed. But he has the ability to help us to be more competitive.
"That is a challenge as well [breaking into the side] that, as a player, he wanted to take. He won’t have any kind of guarantee because, in our world, there is no guarantee of being in the starting 11.
"To get involved, you have to show that you deserve to play. We knew a lot about him when he was at Anderlecht as well – we had a couple of conversations with him.
“It’s not the first conversation we have had with him. We built this relationship [from trying to sign him before], and he knows that we know him quite well.
“With us, we can help him to grow as a player.”
READ NEXT:
Thomas Partey starts, Trossard dropped, Jorginho waits - Arsenal predicted line-up vs Everton
Mikel Arteta poses Arsenal transfer question to Stan Kroenke amid Declan Rice summer links
Every word Mikel Arteta said on missing January transfer priorities, Everton and Partey injury
Arsenal given major contract boost as Gabriel Martinelli signs new long-term deal
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
