Arsenal loanee Albert Sambi Lokonga has made his full return to action with Sevilla as he played in their derby clash with Real Betis.
The midfielder has been in and out of the side all season, having struggled with injuries during his time in La Liga so far.
With a big rest of the campaign ahead, Lokonga will be looking to end the campaign strong as uncertainty lies ahead over his Arsenal future.
Unfortunately, that final run-in has started in the worst way possible, with a defeat that the Spanish media have torn to shreds.
Spanish media give Albert Sambi Lokonga verdict after Sevilla defeat
Sevilla returned to league action over the weekend with a huge derby match against their rivals Real Betis.
Unbeaten in La Liga clashes with Betis in seven years, Sevilla were left frustrated as they fell to a 2-1 defeat away from home.
It marked a dark day for the club, one that was destroyed by the media after when it came to player ratings.
Fortunately for Lokonga, he was praised for his efforts, even if he did struggled with the rest of the team.
El Desmarque gave the midfielder a five out of ten rating and said: “Without doing anything wonderful, he was the only one who wanted to play the ball in a midfield completely lacking in quality.
“He wasn’t well supported and was the last change, desperate to provide more attacking presence.”
It was, at the very least, the basics many would’ve hoped for from Lokonga, but it does show his desire and work rate.
With an injury disrupted season so far for Lokonga, he will be hoping the next few weeks are a bit kinder to him before he waves farewell to Sevilla – at least for the time being.
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European dream seems unlikely for Albert Sambi Lokonga and Sevilla
Just a few weeks ago there was a glimmer of hope that Sevilla could get themselves into the frame for European qualification once again.
However, with the latest defeat comes a damaging picture for the Spanish outfit to deal with for the coming months.
Sevilla remain in 11th, now nine points adrift from city rivals Real Betis after their defeat in the recent clash.
Betis also happen to take up the final European spot in sixth, outlining just how far away that dream of Europe now stands.
It comes as a blow to the side and, by extension, Albert Sambi Lokonga, who has discussed leaving Arsenal in the summer transfer window.
If it is to be back at Sevilla, then it may have to be for a reduced price due to the lack of European prize money that appears to be ahead.
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