Martin Keown believes £18m Arteta signing is simply ‘not good enough,’ tells Arsenal to sign an upgrade

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Arsenal legend Martin Keown believes the Gunners need to sign a better player in central midfield than young Albert Sambi Lokonga this summer.

Mikel Arteta signed the Belgian from Anderlecht for £18 million (Goal) last year. The 22-year-old featured heavily in the first half of the season and he really did impress.

However, his game time has drastically reduced since the turn of the year, and Keown believes that the Gunners need to bring in an upgrade on Lokonga in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Martin Keown: Albert Sambi Lokonga deemed not good enough

Speaking on talkSPORT about Arsenal’s midfield, Keown said: “The middle is where the club needs to strengthen, I think. With Xhaka, it is time for change. I am not saying get rid of him completely, I just feel if he is coming on and making a contribution in midfield, then he needs to get better and develop.

“Partey has been injured for long periods of the season, and [Albert Sambi] Lokonga has been deemed to be not quite good enough.

“Mohamed Elneny, is he the answer?

“So the midfield, that engine room is a key area which needs to be better.”

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Lokonga has only played five times for Arsenal in the Premier League in 2022. That may be one of the reasons why Keown thinks he’s been ‘deemed not good enough’, but we have to disagree here.

It’s not that the Belgian is not good enough, he’s just not ready yet. He’s still only 22 and this is his first season away from his home country. The Premier League is a massive step up, and it’s never easy for new players to become superstars in their debut seasons.

Lokonga really has the potential to be a top player in the coming years. He is definitely one for the future, but to say he’s ‘not good enough’ is a bit harsh, in our opinion.

Arsenal take on Everton on the final day of the season, and Lokonga will be hoping he can get some game time at the Emirates tomorrow.