Arsenal Loanee Suffers Setback Amidst Purple Patch

By The Editor
on 29th February 2024

Albert Sambi Lokonga faces a spell on the sidelines…

Arsenal loanee Albert Sambi Lokonga is facing a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury to halt on his impressive form for Luton in recent weeks, Luton Today reports.

Lokonga started his stint at the Kenilworth Road in disappointing fashion, failing to nail down a first-team place and suffering a muscular injury that kept him for the first few months of the season.

However, the 24-year-old has been a mainstay in the team in recent weeks as Luton make a real go to remain a Premier League side for next season.

The former Anderlecht starlet produced a man-of-the-match display against Manchester United earlier this month as the Red Devils ran out narrow winners.

Luton boss Rob Edwards said that while a scan shows that the Belgian international didn’t suffer a severe injury, he will be out for a few weeks.

“Hopefully not too long, hopefully it’s only a couple of weeks,” Edwards was quoted as saying.

“We had good news on the scan, the injury is there, we’ve got to make sure he feels right, he feels strong and ready to go. This one (cup tie) will clearly be too early tomorrow, and he’ll probably be touch and go for this weekend still.”

Aside from his inconsistency on the pitch, Lokonga’s inability to stay fit for a considerable period saw him fall out of favour at Arsenal.

The midfielder likely feels this loan spell can prove to Mikel Arteta that he can compete in this league, however, one suspects that the manager’s mind is already made up.

With just over two years left on his deal, the club’s hierarchy may view Lokonga as an opportunity to bring in a hefty transfer fee to reinvest in the squad.