Arsenal correspondent Charles Watts has removed all doubt surrounding the future of Gunners midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga.
The 22-year-old signed from Anderlecht last summer but has made just 12 Premier League starts and has been an unused substitute in 12 of the last 16 games.
His brother told Belgian media outlet RTBF (via Daily Mail) that other players like Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne took time to settle into the Premier League and that they aren’t worried about the competition for places in Mikel Arteta’s side.
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Watts has now echoed those remarks and is adamant that Lokonga has a future in north London.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, he said: “From what I understand, everyone’s really, really happy with him at Arsenal. He’s been great behind the scenes. Everyone likes him at London Colney – his work ethic, everything like that. So I don’t really think his future is up in the air.”
TIF Thoughts on Lokonga and Arsenal…
Nine of the midfielder’s starts came prior to December and since the turn of the year, a fit Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny have often been preferred alongside Granit Xhaka.
His manager isn’t seemingly concerned with the Belgian international either, singling him out for praise after a drab 0-0 draw with Burnley back in January, saying “he is growing” and “I think he’s doing pretty well.”
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However, with Elneny’s contract up in the summer, he may find himself further up the pecking order from next season onwards.
With a team-high 60% tackling success rate among Arsenal centre-midfielders, he wouldn’t be out of place when needed in the engine room.
In other news: ‘I’m told…’ – Fabrizio Romano reveals big Aaron Hickey update at Arsenal