Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga said he was tempted to leave the Gunners at the end of last season.
The Belgian struggled for game time during his first twelve months at the Emirates, and he admitted calling his agent to discuss whether he should look for another club:
“It’s a personal decision [to stay at Arsenal]. I wanted to give myself another year to stay at Arsenal and then see what happens. I think I have the qualities to succeed here. Last season, I didn’t perform at my best level. I still have things to prove. At the end of last season, I almost snapped. I called my agent to ask him if staying at Arsenal was a good idea. He comforted me in my choice, even though I know I need to start more often to develop.”
Lokonga has continued to find opportunities hard to come by in league matches this campaign and fans on Twitter have been debating whether the player deserves to be handed more minutes or whether he should be sent out on loan:
He has to back up his words with how he plays. If he wants to compete with Thomas Partey, he has to up his game. Not cry like a baby 🙄
— Musonda™️ (@ChisengaM97) October 19, 2022
Lokonga isn't displacing Partey or Xhaka. Better take opportunities as they come.
— Ken (@MacTheRealist1) October 19, 2022
He needs a loan spell. Come back a better man.
— Louis🔴⚪🔴 (@LQQBS) October 19, 2022
ship this guy out ASAP, as poor as he is, he feeling and thinking he needs to start games at arsenal is criminal
— charles wemegah (@charliewem) October 19, 2022
They should send him on loan in January so he can play more. Definitely not ready to push for the starting 11
— Olan (@j_lanks) October 19, 2022
With respect to Lokonga, he's nowhere near the level of Xhaka and Partey. How can he start matches ahead of those two at the moment?
— Josh (@JM9922_) October 19, 2022
He needs to make the most of his playing time
— E-Jey (@e_jey) October 19, 2022
He's been given numerous chances tbh and bar maybe 2 games is yet to make an impression.
Needs to do the talking on the pitch @LokongaSambi
— ActiveGooner™ #COYG (@ActiveGooner) October 19, 2022
He could go out on loan in January if we bring a midfielder in tho
— we need you Labour (@sleepytime2000) October 19, 2022
It’s fair to say that Lokonga hasn’t proven that he is good enough yet to start in the Premier League. His inconsistency is understandable for a player who has only just turned 22 but his lack of patience is a concern.
The midfielder was clearly expecting more first-team action when he first arrived from Anderlecht for £17m last year. As some supporters have pointed out, if he puts the work in and improves, there is a place for him in the Gunners squad.
