Sky Sports and Football Daily presenter Zac Djellab has claimed that Albert Sambi Lokonga’s performances this season have been a ‘shining light’ for Arsenal after their poor start to the season.
As things stand, incredibly, the Gunners sit bottom of the Premier League table with zero points after three matches. An opening-day defeat to Brentford was followed by a 2-0 humbling at home to Chelsea and then a 5-0 trouncing away at Manchester City.
All in all, there haven’t been too many positives for Arsenal fans to take from these initial performances. However, while talking on the Football Daily YouTube channel, Djellab pointed to Lokonga as one reason for encouragement amongst the club’s faithful.
He explained himself, saying: “Lokonga, when I’ve watched him play in midfield recently, has really impressed me.
“In the Chelsea game, although they weren’t great, Lokonga was maybe that shining light.”
TIF Thoughts on Albert Sambi Lokonga and Arsenal…
The young midfielder started against Brentford and then again at Chelsea, but didn’t feature in the defeat away at Man City. Perhaps sensing the club’s poor form, Mikel Arteta wanted to take the youngster out of the firing line.
Whatever the reason, Lokonga has already shown himself to have qualities that belie someone of such a young age. Indeed, on many occasions last season, the 21-year-old was even entrusted with the captain’s armband at Anderlecht.
With Granit Xhaka set to miss Arsenal’s upcoming games due to his red card in the loss away at City, there should be the opportunity for the young Belgian to slot right back into the club’s midfield.
He’ll be hoping to help the Gunners finally get some points on the board as they host Norwich City next in the league.