'He's going absolutely nowhere': Everyone at Arsenal really rates 23-year-old, he won't be sold - journalist

By Sam Preston

Albert Sambi Lokonga will be staying at Arsenal and he is really rated behind the scenes by everyone at the club.

That is what Charles Watts has claimed on his YouTube channel, in which he referenced comments by the midfielder’s brother recently.

Paul-José M’Poku insisted recently: “We’re not worried. Other players like Kevin De Bruyne or Romelu Lukaku have also taken time to establish themselves in the Premier League. The difference with the Belgian league is big, and Arsenal is not a mid-table club.

“We would have signed with both hands for a first season with 33 per cent of playing time. And Albert is improving every day, especially in training. But the competition is tough in the team, with boys like Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka or Mohamed Elneny, and the coach must respect a certain hierarchy.”

“He has so much talent; sometimes it seems so easy for him that maybe the coach expects more from him? He shouldn’t rest on his abilities. And maybe he needs to show more in training. I’m not worried, and neither is he.

“It’s (a transfer) out of the question, at least for him. He is very well integrated into the club and the city, he is happy, although he hopes to play more next season, and his potential would deserve it.”

Lokonga staying at Arsenal and rated highly

Watts said: “Sambi’s brother has been speaking about his future. I still think Sambi is a very, very good player and from what I understand, everyone is really, really happy with him at Arsenal.

“He’s been great behind the scenes. Everyone likes him at London Colney, his work ethic and everything like that. I don’t think his future is up in the air but his brother has been talking about it. He’s going absolutely nowhere.”

Arsenal have put a huge amount of faith in young players and Mikel Arteta will know that means he needs to give them some period of adaptation.

The upside is that when these players – such as Lokonga – show their ability, Arsenal have talented players who are going to be with the club for years.

Arsenal do need a boost in midfield, and if Lokonga can adjust better next season, there looks to be opportunities for him to get into the team regularly.

On this one, it seems everyone at the club is aligned with the 23-year-old midfielder, and the Europa League could hand him opportunities for gametime next term – unless Norwich beat Tottenham on Sunday…