The brother of Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga has issued a statement over his sibling’s future at the club, claiming they aren’t ‘worried’ about it. The Belgian youngster’s debut season in the Premier League has seen him play on the fringes of the squad following his £15million move from Anderlecht.
The 22-year-old has provided cover for the likes of Thomas Partey, when there have been absences in the middle of the park. While he is yet to stake a claim to a consistent first-team spot, he has managed to make 18 appearances in the Premier League.
He could yet grow into a player that will take up that first-team mantle, with Mikel Arteta claiming earlier in the season that he was happy with the midfielder’s progression: “I think he is growing, he is playing better and better. I think he had a really good game the other day against Liverpool, his understanding of the game, he is managing the physicality much better, he is maturing.
READ MORE: William Saliba makes ‘shocking’ Arsenal transfer admission ahead of huge Mikel Arteta decision
“It’s a lot to ask. When we signed him, the expectation that we had for him in the first year was to start adapting. But he has had to play many more minutes than we expected and the kid is trying his best, and I think he’s doing pretty well.”
That is a sentiment shared by his brother, Paul-Jose M'Poku, who claims he isn’t worried about his future, while drawing comparisons to other Belgian stars in England. Speaking to RTFB, he said: “We’re not worried. Other players like Kevin De Bruyne or Romelu Lukaku have also taken time to establish themselves in the English Premier League.
“The difference with the Belgian league is big, and Arsenal is not a mid-table club. We would have signed with both hands for a first season with 33 percent of playing time. And Albert is improving every day, especially in training.”
He did, however, question whether the youngster has impressed enough in training, claiming: “The competition is tough in the team, with boys like Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka or Mohamed Elneny, and the coach must respect a certain hierarchy. This season, the rotation has been very difficult because Arsenal don't played only one game a week on average.
“He has so much talent; sometimes it seems so easy for him that maybe the coach expects more from him? He shouldn’t rest on his abilities. And maybe he needs to show more in training. I’m not worried, and neither is he."
Sambi Lokonga will certainly be hoping he can make a push for a regular place, given his promise at a young age. With a transfer window around the corner, it remains to be seen how Arteta freshens his squad up, but the midfielder will be keen to be part of the plans going forward.
