‘They are quite close’: Lokonga says Mikel Arteta is ‘very similar’ to four-time PL winner

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal new boy Albert Sambi Lokonga has compared his current manager Mikel Arteta to Anderlecht boss Vincent Kompany.

The young Belgian midfielder joined the Gunners as a squad player in the summer, but he has played regularly. Granit Xhaka’s injury has opened the door for him and he has impressed everyone.

Arteta revealed that he consulted Kompany before signing Lokonga in the summer. (Metro) The ex-Manchester City man, who won four Premier League titles as a captain, gave the Arsenal boss the review he was looking for, and the deal was done.

Lokonga was asked about Arteta and Kompany, and the midfielder believes that they’re very similar to each other.

Lokonga: Arteta is very similar to Kompany

Lokonga said while speaking to Belgian outlet SudInfo Sports: “This transition (from Kompany to Arteta) has helped me. It was a good thing for me. In their coaching, they are very similar. 

“In the way you watch and analyze a game, there are some similarities between them. They are quite close although there are still a few small differences. Arteta is more involved in training and some exercises with us. What Kompany did at the start but not at the end.

“Without telling me, he (Kompany) prepared me for the Premier League. He was showing me play sequences telling me I had to be more aggressive or that I had to do this or that. He also told me that on a long ball, I always had to sprint to be present in the area where the ball was going to fall. 

“If you don’t do it in England, you are dead. Without my knowing it, he really prepared me for this English championship. I wouldn’t have adapted so quickly to England without him.”

TBR View:

Kompany knows the Premier League better than most other people. He spent over a decade at Manchester City and led them to four Premier League title wins, which is an incredible record.

It was no surprise to listen to Arteta say that he consulted Kompany before signing Lokonga. The two veterans know each other very well thanks to their time together at the Etihad and that relationship seems to have helped Arsenal sign a fantastic talent.

Lokonga has only played a handful of games but he has impressed. He looked very composed on the ball, is not affected by the press and has a fantastic range of passing too.

He has done really well in Xhaka’s absence and it won’t be a surprise to see him keep the Swiss international out even after he returns from his long-term injury next year.