Albert Sambi Lokonga says ‘I haven’t had any contact’ with Mikel Arteta since joining Luton Town in a loan transfer but the midfielder feels he still has a future for Arsenal.
The Hatters only just beat the deadline to get the 24-year-old from the Gunners in a season-long deal in September. Arsenal agreed to let Luton loan Lokonga after the Kenilworth Road club put £500k on the table. His move did not feature an option or an obligation to buy, too.
Lokonga also only started to establish himself under boss Rob Edwards in December after an injury-hit start to his term. The Belgian sustained a hamstring issue after his first two outings in Bedfordshire. It sidelined him over 10 Premier League matches but he has been key since.
Albert Sambi Lokonga ‘hasn’t had any contact’ with Mikel Arteta since leaving Arsenal
Edwards has started Lokonga in Luton’s past eight top-flight fixtures after returning to action as a substitute against Manchester City. The one-cap anchor has also made two assists with the Hatters to help take a 3-2 win at Sheffield United and thrash Brighton & Hove Albion 4-0.
Arsenal had never seen Lokonga register an assist in a Premier League match through his 25 matches under Arteta. He has also not scored in the English top-flight since joining the north London outfit from RSC Anderlecht in July 2021, including his difficult loan at Crystal Palace.
The past two-and-a-half seasons have returned a total of 45 Premier League appearances for no goals and two assists. Lokonga has also started 30 of his outings from 83 fixtures. He has started 14 of 25 with the Gunners, six of nine for the Eagles and 10 of 11 for the Hatters.
Albert Sambi Lokonga ‘concentrating on Luton’ but sees his future at Emirates Stadium
Yet despite establishing himself in Luton’s squad, Lokonga says Arteta has not made contact since the Belgian left Arsenal. But the midfielder still claims he can have a future at Emirates Stadium as he views himself as a Gunners player and has a contract through to June 2026.
“I think it’s too early to say,” Lokonga explained, via quotes by the Mirror. “I haven’t had any contact with Mikel Arteta yet. I’m concentrating on Luton. We’ll talk to Arsenal at the end of the season but everything will happen gradually. I still consider myself an Arsenal player.
“I’m appreciated there by the fans and the staff. I think I can have a future at Arsenal but that will depend on my performances here. I’ve always said that as long as I have a contract with the Gunners, I’d like to make my mark there.”
Showing consistent progress on loan to Luton may help Lokonga merit a future with Arsenal going forward. He certainly caught Gary Neville’s eye against Manchester United last Sunday with the Sky Sports pundit calling Lokonga ‘outstanding’ as the Red Devils claimed a 2-1 win.
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