Sambi Lokonga has spent the last year away from Arsenal on loan at two different clubs.
The Belgian did not join the Gunners as a popular signing, but Mikel Arteta has a track record of signing relatively unknown players and transforming them into solid performers.
Fans were hopeful that Lokonga would meet expectations at the club, but the midfielder has fallen below par since he joined Arsenal.
He spent the second half of last season on loan at Crystal Palace and failed to impress, prompting the Gunners to send him out on loan again to Luton Town in the current campaign.
He started the season as a key player for them, but an injury has deprived him of the chance to play several games for the club in the last few weeks.
His brother, Paul-José Mpoku, has now commented on his predicament and insists there are doubts about whether he is a quality player who will make it.
He told Het Nieuwsblad, as relayed by Voetbal Primeur: This season he had no real preparation and injured himself very quickly at Luton. You learn from that too. As far as I’m concerned, it’s not a question of quality. I hope he gets fit again, can play matches and get back to the national team. He has the level for that.”
Just Arsenal Opinion
Sambi Lokonga has not met expectations since we signed him and it is hard to think he has a future at the club.
We have several other midfielders doing well for the team now, so he will have to find a new home when he returns in the summer.
How much do we love Tottenham today?…….
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A spirited performance on his return from injury will surely do him a world of good in the summer shop window.
Some players start late and never look back, look at Jammie Vardy
…look at Ian Wright
I’m embarrassed to admit that I’d forgotten Sambi was still on the books
Agree that he can still have a good career but I’d doubt that it will be at Arsenal.
Martin,besides Tomiyasu which other unknown players have been successful under MA?
Like Vieira,Sambi seems to lack the physical strength and energy to make an impression in the EPL.Both have excellent ball skills and football intelligence but defensively they are both weak and are unable to force their way into our side.As Sambi was recommended by the Burnley Manager perhaps Turf Moor will be his next port of call.At this stage it appears that Sambi and Veiria will prove to be bad investments.
Lokonga was tipped to follow in the footsteps of premier league legend Yaya Toure, but things haven’t gone exactly to plan.
Mediocre player