Arsenal reject AS Monaco offer for 23yo midfielder | OneFootball

Arsenal have rejected an offer from AS Monaco to take Albert Sambi Lokonga on loan, according to a report.

The Daily Mail reports that Arsenal have rejected an approach from Ligue 1 side AS Monaco to take Albert Sambi Lokonga on loan this month.

Mikel Arteta is reluctant to let players leave in January, particularly in midfield, as he’s wary that he needs cover in all positions for Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge.

As it stands, with just one game a week, Arsenal can largely afford to name the same side in every game.

But when the midweek matches start in February, and the Europa League returns in March, Arsenal are going to find it increasingly difficult to stick with the same 11 players.

Then there’s the very real risk of an injury or two hitting the squad.

Arsenal have already seemingly lost Mohamed Elneny to injury, so Lokonga is one of very few alternatives to starting trio Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka, and Martin Odegaard.

The likes of Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira could probably fill in as more advanced midfielders, but neither would be much help if Partey is out.

So even though Lokonga hasn’t played a Premier League minute since October, he could still end up being called upon in key moments as the season goes on.

In all competitions, the Belgian midfielder has made 14 appearances and played 815 minutes so far this campaign – the bulk of which were in the Europa League group stage.