Arsenal have rarely missed in the transfer market under Mikel Arteta, but it now appears that one of his signings could be on the way out.
Arteta and Edu Gaspar have built a squad which can challenge at the top end of the Premier League despite their young age, and strong recruitment over the years has led Arsenal to this moment.
This perhaps all began in the summer of 2021, after Arsenal missed out on European football. The club invested in the transfer window, and players such as Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Martin Odegaard joined that summer and are still key players.
Aaron Ramsdale can also be considered a successful signing from that window despite losing his place to David Raya, but one of Arteta’s other signings that window now looks set to leave.
Albert Sambi Lokonga likely to push for Arsenal exit
Journalist Charles Watts has now explained to CaughtOffside that midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga, who is currently on loan at Luton Town, is likely to depart the Emirates this summer.
“It was great to see Albert Sambi Lokonga score his first Luton goal at the weekend. Obviously it wasn’t enough to keep them up, but it capped an excellent loan spell for the midfielder,” he explained.
“He did have a couple of injury setbacks during the season, but on the whole he will be very happy with the season he has had at Kenilworth Road. He was desperately in need of a season of regular first-team football and that’s why he got. He also showed he has the quality to make a decent impact in the Premier League.
He then pointed out how Arsenal’s plans over a new midfielder means that a deal for Lokonga is unlikely.
“In terms of his future, I think the most likely scenario is that Arsenal look to cash in on him this summer. If a good offer comes in, I’m sure they would accept it. If not, they will more than likely look for another loan.
“I would say that Luton’s relegation rules out the possibility of him moving there on a permanent basis, but Arsenal will hope his performances while he was away will have generated a market for him ahead of the summer window. I just don’t see him coming back and forcing his way into Arteta’s plans, especially now Jorginho has signed his new contract.”
Albert Sambi Lokonga was a fair gamble for Arteta at the time
Lokonga has started performing well for Luton this season, but it is clear that he needs to leave Arsenal.
The £15m spent on him felt like a huge price given his inexperience, but many thought that he could become a first-team regular after his promising start at Anderlecht.
READ MORE: All Mikel Arteta signings at Arsenal ranked from worst to best
The Belgian simply does not have the off-ball intensity required, and whilst he might succeed at a club lower down the table, Arsenal should listen to any offers made for him.
At the time of his arrival, Arsenal were desperate for midfielders, and he arrived as a highly-rated prospect at Anderlecht, but so far has not lived up to his full potential.