Albert Sambi Lokonga has admitted that he moved to Arsenal because he ‘immediately’ wanted to start learning more about the game.
The Belgian moved to the Emirates from Anderlecht in a deal worth £15million in the summer and already looks as though he’ll be a big part of Mikel Arteta ’s project, both now and in the future.
Although the midfielder struggled in the Gunners’ 0-0 draw with Brighton on Saturday, the 21-year-old has made a decent start to his Arsenal career and is a player with real potential.
He’s someone who Arsenal fans are already starting to like, and judging by what he’s said about leaving Anderlecht, he’s willing to continue learning, something that supporters will certainly appreciate.
“I wanted to move forward and discover something new”, Lokonga told Voetbalmagazine, via Inside Futbol, while discussing why he decided to leave his boyhood club.
“To be honest I also knew that all Anderlecht loan players would return to their parent club.
“That was a deciding factor when I had to make a choice.
“I didn’t want to stay with Anderlecht to witness the umpteenth reconstruction of the team.
“I wanted a project in which I would immediately learn things by working.”
Lokonga has played a part in six of the Gunners’ seven top flight games so far this season, and will be determined to secure a regular spot in their midfield now that Granit Xhaka has been ruled out for three months through injury.
Although there’s now a break from domestic action as a result of the latest round of international fixtures, Lokonga is likely to feature in the clash with Crystal Palace on October 18.
