Luton Town have confirmed the signing of Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga on a season-long goal deal.
Luton Town have announced the capture of Albert Sambi Lokonga on a season-long loan deal from Arsenal. The agreement excludes a buy option, meaning the 23-year-old midfielder will return to the Emirates next summer.
Albert Sambi Lokonga has finally found the solution to his immediate future after spending an entire summer on uncertain terms. The 23-year-old Arsenal ace has fallen out of Mikel Arteta’s plans, and the club actively sought ideas to sort out his next step.
Lokonga did not travel with the squad for their pre-season amid a minor injury, and since then, he has sat out of games the club played. Arteta did not select him or many other stars that were surplus to requirements for his matchday squads for the opening three games.
Those were clear hints the manager wanted those players out, and Arsenal have done a decent job finding solutions for most of those. Only Nicolas Pepe and Cedric Soares remain at the club, but there’s plenty of hope with the Turkish and Saudi window open for an extended period.
Welcome, Albert Sambi Lokonga! ✍️#COYH pic.twitter.com/BkpnL4v91f
— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) September 1, 2023
As for Lokonga, he had links to Burnley, where former Anderlecht manager Vincent Kompany wanted him, but nothing materialised on that front. Earlier today, Luton Town expressed an interest and opened talks with Arsenal over a loan deal.
The Gunners had accepted their conditions, but the final decision remained with the player. Lokonga took his time before deciding on joining the Premier League new boys, as regular game time must have taken precedence.
As things stand, Luton Town are one of the clear favourites to suffer relegation, but for Lokonga, playing every week remains at the forefront of his ideas. Luton will take the 23-year-old Arsenal ace on a season-long loan move with no option to buy.
Lokonga will aim to resurrect his career, and Arsenal will hope he shines as they can then protect his current valuation or see an increase. In leaving the Gunners, the Belgian joins fellow teammates Rob Holding and Nuno Tavares after the duo joined Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest, respectively.