New Signing Watch: Albert Sambi Lokonga

22/07/2021 Kayode Ogunbote Player Watch 0

Following a disappointing 2020/21 Premier League season, Arsenal have stepped up their game in the transfer window, securing their second signing of the summer in the person of Albert Sambi Lokonga.

The Gunners signed Nuno Tavares a few weeks back and have gone a step further to sign Belgian midfielder, Albert-Mboyo Sambi Lokonga for around 18 million euros from Anderlecht.

Lokonga, 21, is a Belgian midfielder and has spent the entirety of his football career so far at Anderlecht. He spent seven years in the youth team from 2010 before breaking into the first team in 2017.

Lokonga made his professional debut for Anderlecht in a 1-0 win over K.A.S Eupen. In November 2019, he extended his contract to 2023 and on 27 September 2020, he scored the first goal of his senior career as he earned Anderlecht a point in their 1-1 draw against K.A.S Eupen.

Playing style

Lokonga is a versatile midfielder with several admirable qualities. Given that the future of Switzerland skipper, Granit Xhaka is uncertain, he would most likely be used in a 4-2-3-1 formation, partnering with Thomas Partey at the base of the Gunners midfield.

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Comparing Lokonga with any player in the Arsenal squad, his playing style seems to be a bit more similar to that of Ghanian, Thomas Partey. A great passer of the ball, Lokonga likes to shoot from distance.

Comparing him to players outside of the team, Lokonga can be compared to Manchester United’s Paul Pogba. Being very versatile in midfield, he is excellent in passing, through balls, winning passes, interceptions and dribbling.

Sambi Lokonga might not be a big name signing and the fact that he has played the entirety of his career so far in one league at one club could make his Premier League transition and adaptation tough, but if he can manage to recreate his achievements in the Belgian league to the Premier League, then Arsenal have made an excellent signing at a bargain fee.

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