Bright future awaits Arsenal outcast Albert Sambi Lokonga as relegation battle gamble pays off | OneFootball

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Albert Sambi Lokonga faces an uncertain future at Arsenal, but he is doing his best to give Mikel Arteta a headache this summer.

The midfielder took the bold decision to join Luton on loan at the start of the season and, so far, it is paying off.

Lokonga has excelled in a struggling side and his form has not gone unnoticed, with even Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp remarking on his impressive performances.

“Lokonga, when you see him playing and you think: ‘Oh, he’s an Arsenal player and they loaned him?’ Interesting,” he said in February ahead of his side’s game with Luton.

Lokonga will be back at Emirates Stadium tonight, but he will have to settle for a seat in the stands as his loan makes him ineligible, while also nearing the end of a lay-off due to a hamstring injury.

His absence is a blow for Luton, who are fighting for their lives at the bottom of the Premier League and relying on Lokonga to help them beat the drop.

Luton has fit like a glove for Albert Sambi Lokonga

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For the 24-year-old, the move to Luton has been just what he needed. Those close to him say he had lost his smile at Arsenal last season after making just six Premier League appearances before being loaned to Crystal Palace in January.

It was made clear to Lokonga - and other players such as Rob Holding and Nuno Tavares – in the summer that he was not in Arteta’s first-team plans this season.

That prompted him to explore his options and there was tentative interest from Burnley at the start of the summer. Their manager Vincent Kompany worked with Lokonga at Anderlecht, but by the end of the transfer window Burnley had moved on to other targets.

Luton emerged late in the window to sign Lokonga on deadline day. It was a deal that surprised many but Lokonga was won over by manager Rob Edwards - who came to his home to pitch the move to him.

Crucially, Lokonga was told he would play and that, above anything else, was vital. He has also benefited from not having to move house and the lack of upheaval off the pitch has helped him.

On the pitch, Lokonga has found his feet and he has developed a love for Luton that has shocked even himself. He has thrown himself into life at the club and, even when he first injured his hamstring earlier this season, he stayed to have treatment at Luton instead of returning to Arsenal.

It was a tough time for the midfielder after he tore his hamstring just two games into his Luton career, and his family played a key role in lifting his spirits.

Those at Luton describe Lokonga as a bubbly person, who despite being 24 has become a senior figure in the group. He has struck up a good understanding with Ross Barkley in midfield and together the pair have managed to rebuild their careers.

Edwards have given them the licence to work in tandem, with one pushing forward while the other sits, and Lokonga has relished the responsibility he has been given.

“I think we could play with our eyes closed and we would find each other,” Lokonga jokes.

Both were linked with call-ups to their national sides this month, but recent injuries have meant Lokonga missed out on the Belgium squad. He has not given up hope, however, of making the squad for this summer’s Euros.

Lokonga’s future will be discussed this summer when he returns to Arsenal and until then he is focused on helping Luton beat the drop.