Who is Albert Sambi Lokonga? A look at Arsenal’s prospective new midfielder

Sambi Lokonga

By Oscar Maung-Haley

Albert Sambi Lokonga looks set to become Arsenal’s second summer signing with reports this week claiming the Gunners have agreed to sign the Belgian midfielder from Anderlecht.

According to the Evening Standard, the deal is set to cost Arsenal £15m upfront with performance-related add-ons included.

Over the course of the last two seasons, Lokonga has become a key player for Anderlecht.

The 21-year-old made 33 league starts last season, helping the Belgian side to a third place league finish.

Lokonga would bring some much needed dynamism to Arsenal’s midfield.

And he also offers a lot in terms of tactical flexibility in the middle of the park.

While true that he is a central midfielder, the Belgian is comfortable in two or three-man midfield in front of a back four and as a sitting midfielder in a two in front of a back three.

With Mikel Arteta favouring 4-2-3-1 for the majority of last season, Lokonga would slot in nicely into the heart of Arsenal’s midfield.

And with Anderlecht producing talent like Romelu Lukaku, Youri Tielemans and Vincent Kompany amongst others over the years, Lokonga clearly comes from good stock.

Sambi Lokonga

Arsenal have been looking at adding midfielders this summer too, with potential deals for Brighton’s Yves Bissouma and Wolves’ Ruben Neves mooted.

The Belgian would be a much needed addition to Arsenal’s engine room, in the wake of Matteo Guendouzi signing for Marseille and the potential departures of Lucas Torreira and Granit Xhaka.

On the international stage, he has appeared for Belgium’s U21s six times, scoring twice.

In March 2021, he was also called up to the Belgian senior side to be part of a squad that boasted the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois and Yannick Carrasco.

Clearly he is very highly thought of in the Belgium set up by Roberto Martinez and co, which is highlighted by the fact he was placed on the standby list for the Euro 2020 squad.

Had the field in front of him not been so stacked with supreme talent, it is definitely possible Lokonga could have already featured for the senior side.

And despite his age, he could also provide some much needed leadership to Arsenal’s squad, with the midfielder being handed the Anderlecht captaincy by Kompany last season.

Alongside the arrival of left-back Nuno Tavares, Lokonga could be a key part in Arsenal’s revival.

He will need to continue his progression too of course, but all signs point towards Lokonga being a potentially excellent signing for the Gunners.

PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES

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