‘He Has To Back Up His Words With How He Plays’‘Needs A Loan Spell’Fans Debate Arsenal Star’s Future After Controversial Interview

Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga said he was tempted to leave the Gunners at the end of last season.

The Belgian struggled for game time during his first twelve months at the Emirates, and he admitted calling his agent to discuss whether he should look for another club:

“It’s a personal decision [to stay at Arsenal]. I wanted to give myself another year to stay at Arsenal and then see what happens. I think I have the qualities to succeed here. Last season, I didn’t perform at my best level. I still have things to prove. At the end of last season, I almost snapped. I called my agent to ask him if staying at Arsenal was a good idea. He comforted me in my choice, even though I know I need to start more often to develop.

Lokonga has continued to find opportunities hard to come by in league matches this campaign and fans on Twitter have been debating whether the player deserves to be handed more minutes or whether he should be sent out on loan:

It’s fair to say that Lokonga hasn’t proven that he is good enough yet to start in the Premier League. His inconsistency is understandable for a player who has only just turned 22 but his lack of patience is a concern.

The midfielder was clearly expecting more first-team action when he first arrived from Anderlecht for £17m last year. As some supporters have pointed out, if he puts the work in and improves, there is a place for him in the Gunners squad.