Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga remains determined to succeed at Arsenal. His focus is on working his way into Mikel Arteta’s first team plans football.london understands.
Links with Serie A club AC Milan had surfaced in the past week but despite the reported interest, this has not changed the 22-year-old’s position on his Arsenal standing. Lokonga played more than anticipated last season after injuries and suspensions for Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey provided an opportunity for the Belgian.
Mohamed Elneny was, however, preferred in Partey’s absence during the final run of games as the Gunners just missed out on Champions League football. football.london previously reported however that the Europa League group stage and early domestic cup rounds will provide Lokonga with more starting opportunities this season.
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Arsenal writer Kaya Kaynak reported in football.london's transfer Q&A session that Lokonga's performances in a slightly advanced midfield role this summer had impressed the Arsenal coaching staff. Presenting an opportunity to compete for multiple midfield roles this season.
Links to Youri Tielemans and other central midfield targets would make his route into regular first team action trickier. However, Lokonga has opened up recently about competition not being a problem for him and knew the situation when joining a club like Arsenal.
"I try to not pay attention to all of that stuff," Lokonga told the Counter Attack Podcast. "When you play for a big club, people have expectations: 'Yeah, you need to buy this player', or: 'This player is rubbish'. For me, I just focus on myself and focus on my job,
"If I was scared of competition, I would not have chosen Arsenal. Coming here I knew there would be competition, at my previous club there was competition as well so it’s part of football. I think competition can make you better."
Lokonga was used as a second half substitute in the 2-0 win over Palace but could potentially miss out on a place on the bench for the tie with Leicester City. The return of Fabio Vieira, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Emile Smith-Rowe to full fitness means it might be between the Belgian and Elneny for the defensive midfield option on the bench.
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