You know the saying 'those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it?' Well, someone had best tell Mikel Arteta.
In a bid to trim his squad for the new season, the Arsenal manager is apparently willing to wave goodbye to promising young midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga. The 22-year-old midfielder was only signed from Belgian giants Anderlecht last summer after a glowing assessment from Vincent Kompany - who labelled him "the next Yaya Toure."
But the second coming of the Manchester City legend - who the Gunners shelled out £15million on - could be about to showcase his potential elsewhere, specifically AC Milan. After a difficult first season in north London, multiple reports from Italy state that the Rossoneri have opened talks with Emirates chiefs in the hope of signing Lokonga before the close of the transfer window
Within Arsenal's decision to sell the once-capped Belgium international, however, comes a reminder of the glaring mistake which they made almost five years go to the day. In August 2017, the Gunners - then led by Arsene Wenger - sanctioned the sale of one of their most exciting talents in the form of Ismael Bennacer, the Algerian midfielder who had arrived from French side Arles two years prior.
Then 19, Bennacer was getting impatient over a lack of first-team action, having only made one senior appearance, coming on as a substitute during a League Cup loss at Sheffield Wednesday. Feeling Arsenal weren't opposed to selling him, he made the bold leap to Empoli - and it paid off. Bennacer played 39 games for the Italian outfit in his first season, helping them win the Serie B title.
While his second term resulted in relegation, his performances only affirmed fears that the Emirates hierarchy had let one of Europe's most promising midfielders slip through their grasp, for just £900,000. As Empoli departed the Italian top flight, Bennacer remained, with AC Milan forking out £14.5million on his signature.
Three years later, he's a Serie A title winner and valued at £34m. Where does that price tag comes from? Well, it's what Gunners were told to cough up in June when they pondered over sensationally re-signing the Algeria ace, who helped his country win the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019.
Although a return to north London hasn't materialised, the idea that Arsenal discussed bringing Bennacer back highlights that he's highly thought of by the likes of Arteta, who was briefly his teammate at the Emirates. Now in the dugout, the Spaniard wants to add to his midfield this summer.
But give it a few years and Lokonga could be that man. Like how Bennacer still had a long-term deal with the Gunners at the time of his premature exit, the former Anderlecht captain - who donned the armband at only 21 - is tied down until 2026. Although Arteta often overlooked him, particularly in the second half of the season when he made a lowly three starts, Lokonga's statistics suggest that his potential is more than just talk.
Fbref, gurus of the stats world, state that no Arsenal player received more passes per 90 minutes than the Belgian prodigy last term (54.7). To boot, Lokonga averaged more progressive carries than any other Gunners midfielder and also drove more yards with the ball towards to opposition's goal than any other player across Arteta's entire squad.
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Of course, few Arsenal fans would throw Lokonga in the starting XI right now, but selling him after such a short time at the club seems a naive move. It's relatively unexpected, too, as Arteta recently explained how he and his coaching staff were working hard to find the best position for a player who has shown he can help the team progress the ball forwards and into dangerous areas.
"We are trying," the Gunners boss stated following his team's 3-1 victory over Orlando City in pre-season. "Where he fits comfortable and can develop in the best possible way. He's really comfortable playing in that position and we want to try and see what he can bring in that position as well. It is true that now we are missing Emile [Smith Rowe] and Fabio [Vieira] another so that position was a little bit short and he's done well."
If Arsenal recoup what they paid for Lokonga 13 months ago, many supporters would credit technical director Edu for doing sensible business. But from a footballing standpoint, the Gunners need to remember their short-sightedness and Bennacer's coming of age.
