Albert Sambi Lokonga has surely played last game for Arsenal after he was told he is not in Mikel Arteta’s first-team plans this season
Arsenal are flying in the Premier League this season as they aim to win the title for the first time since 2004, and manager Mikel Arteta will be desperate to go one better after they missed out on it to Manchester City last term.
The Spaniard made some major squad recruitment last summer, with the additions of Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and David Raya strengthening the Gunners, and more changes are expected in the next transfer window.
Arsenal now have a midfield to reckon with but could look to add one more player in the department despite the performances of Albert Sambi Lokonga on loan at Luton Town.
The Belgium international midfielder received praise from Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp in February ahead of their Premier League clash with the Hatters, and he has been one of the best players at the former Championship side.
Lokonga made just six Premier League appearances for Arsenal before being loaned to Crystal Palace last January, and while he could be giving Arteta a headache this summer amid the uncertainty surrounding his future at the North London club, it appears he has already played his last game for the Gunners.
The Belgian was told last summer that he was not in Arteta’s first-team plans this season, prompting him to explore his options, according to the Evening Standard.
Despite his sterling performances so far for Luton, the Arsenal boss is unlikely to have changed his mind as Lokonga will still struggle to break into his starting XI.
Having also established himself as a key player under manager Rob Edwards at Kenilworth Road, returning to the Gunners’ bench is the last thing Lokonga wants and the fact that he will not be short of suitors in the summer even if Luton stay up means leaving Arsenal permanently is all but guaranteed.
His future will be discussed this summer when he returns to the Emirates Stadium club, and he will keep focusing on helping Luton beat the drop until then, but it is safe to say that he has already played his last game for them given Arteta’s call from last summer.
