Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga has joined Crystal Palace on loan for the remainder of the season.
Crystal Palace have confirmed the transfer of Albert Sambi Lokonga on their official website. And the 23-year-old will now look to get back to playing regularly during the second half of the campaign.
The highly-talented defensive midfielder has had a difficult first half of the season with Arsenal, and he has started just twice in the Premier League. The Belgian had fallen down the pecking order at Arsenal and needed to leave in order to play more often.
Meanwhile, Arsenal completed a deadline-day deal to sign Jorginho from Chelsea, and the Belgian would have fallen further down the pecking order following the Italian’s arrival. Lokonga needs to play regularly at this stage of his career and moving to Crystal Palace will be ideal for him.
Patrick Vieira needs to add more depth through his midfield and Palace have been linked with a number of players in recent weeks. The Eagles were hoping to sign Conor Gallagher from Chelsea after the 22-year-old impressed during a loan spell at Selhurst Park last season.
Another one joins 😍#CPFC
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) January 31, 2023
However, the Blues were not keen on letting the 22-year-old leave and Palace have now turned their attention toward the Arsenal midfielder. Lokonga has the potential to develop into a top-class player in the future, and it remains to be seen whether he can get his career back on track with regular football at the London club.
The 23-year-old will be hoping to impress during his loan spell at Crystal Palace now and return to Arsenal as a better player next season.
Having signed for the club, Lokonga said, “I’m really excited – I can’t wait to get started. I’m really happy to join Crystal Palace. I want to go as far as possible with the team. I will try to push for me and the team to do the maximum to reach the top.”
The Gunners could certainly use more quality and depth in their midfield and the 23-year-old could get more first-team opportunities next season if he manages to convince Mikel Arteta of his qualities.
Crystal Palace are currently 12th in the Premier League table, and they will be hoping that these January additions can help them improve during the second half of the campaign and finish the season strongly. A top-half finish would be ideal for the Eagles this season.
