‘You can see the improvement in him’: Keown says Arsenal 22-year-old has kicked on massively

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Arsenal legend Martin Keown has praised Albert Sambi Lokonga following the Gunners’ Europa League win over Bodo/Glimt.

Mikel Arteta’s charges got over the line in Norway as Bukayo Saka scored the only goal in Arsenal’s 1-0 win.

The Arsenal forward played a one-two with Lokonga to get through in the box.

Saka’s initial shot was blocked but the ball came off his forehead and bounced past the goalkeeper.

Lokonga’s assist for his teammate showed what he’s capable of on the ball.

He also progressed the ball well throughout the match.

Admittedly, the 22-year-old did have some lapses in concentration.

At one point, Lokonga lost the ball on the edge of his own box, leading to a home chance.

Nonetheless, it was a promising display from the Belgian, and Keown praised him – as well as Saka – on BT Sport.

“Saka, he’s a different class at the moment,” Keown said, as transcribed by The Express. “He has the full-back on toast.

“Lokonga as well tonight, some nice touches, you can see the improvement in him.

“Then Saka, that class in his game, he’s gone to another level. England, Arsenal, he’s got to play right now.”

Lokonga is far from the finished product, but he’s certainly on the right track.

Arteta has shown patience with the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and William Saliba, who have gone on to become world-class.

Hopefully the Arsenal coach and staff will be able to turn Lokonga into a player of a similar calibre.