Mikel Arteta has a fairly impressive success rate when it comes to signings made as Arsenal boss, but around a year-and-a-half in, the jury is still out on Albert Sambi Lokonga.
The young Belgian international was signed from Anderlecht in the summer of 2021 with a big reputation, only enhanced further by Vincent Kompany's glowing review of the midfielder after Lokonga had been unveiled as an Arsenal player.
The Manchester City legend worked closely with the Gunners star during their shared time at Anderlecht when Kompany was the first-team manager. Lokonga clearly the caught the eye of the Etihad favourite, as he likened him to another City icon.
"When I was still a player for City, I was coming to a point where I was thinking about my future. Management? Carry on? Sign a new deal?" Kompany told Rio Ferdinand's Vibe with Five YouTube channel.
"I was watching football from different countries, different places. And I saw Sambi play his first game - his first two games - then he got an injury to his knee. But the first thing I did when I saw Sambi is I went to Mikel and said, 'You've got to watch this guy, he's the new Yaya Toure.'
"What I like with Sambi - and it’s rare in football, what Yaya did have - is he wants the ball no matter what. If the teams not doing well, give the ball to Sambi. If the team's doing well, give the ball to Sambi. He will never hide away from his responsibility."
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Unfortunately, things haven't exactly played out as planned and Lokonga has found first-team football hard to come by with the likes of Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka in front of him. He has since admitted he has found his lack of minutes frustrating at times.
"At the end of last season, I almost snapped," Lokonga confessed to La Derniere Heure. "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."
Lokonga has featured in half of Arsenal's league games so far this term, but starred in all six Europa League games.
After the latest 1-0 home win over FC Zurich, the 23-year-old came in for some praise from his manager, who discussed the fact he actually deployed the midfielder in a more advanced role than usual.
"It’s true that we played him more there in pre-season," Arteta admitted. "When we signed him, we had another idea – but in pre-season, he developed and played well in that position. Having to rest Thomas today, I think it was a good option."
With that being said, Arteta may not be as convinced on Lokonga as he makes out if reports are to be believed.
The Express claim that Arsenal are 'serious' about signing Palmeiras midfielder Danilo in the summer, having been linked with the 21-year-old throughout the last January window.
The Brazilian outfit were unwilling to part ways with one of their most important players mid-season, but could be tempted into doing a deal should Arsenal fork out the required transfer fee - but it would certainly send a message to Lokonga, who plays a similar role, in the process.
