Arteta could repeat Saliba masterstroke with Arsenal gem Keown says is visibly improving

Over the past few years, Arsenal have done well in turning talented prospects into world-class first-teamers.

Obviously you have Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe on the academy graduate front.

But Arsenal have also been buying rough diamonds and turning them into prized gems.

Gabriel Martinelli and William Saliba are the standout duo, now both key members of the starting XI.

Then you have newcomers Fabio Vieira and Marquinhos, who look promising but still need refining.

Albert Sambi Lokonga is also in that bracket, a young talent who seems to be on the right track but isn’t the finished product.

The 22-year-old has 33 senior appearances to his name, so it’s not as if he’s short of senior experience.

Nonetheless, he still has a lot of untapped potential, but as we saw against Bodo/Glimt, he’s getting there.

‘You can see the improvement’

Lokonga’s assist for Bukayo Saka’s winner 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 Martin Keown praised him 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.”

Lokonga, like Saliba, joined Arsenal for a modest price, albeit not a complete bargain like Martinelli.

And Saliba needed three years and three loan spells to reach the required level.

Lokonga may not necessarily need a loan spell, but with the right coaching – which he’s getting – he could (and should) reach that level soon.