✍️ OFFICIAL Sambi Lokonga

[El Duderino]

BuT SoMe iTkS

 

[MauveGunner]

A small update: Anderlecht has bought Ashimeru from RB Salzburg, this is the replacement for Lokonga. Pretty much impies that we are speculating on a move awat. Still no news on his destination.

 

[MutableEarth]

A small update: Anderlecht has bought Ashimeru from RB Salzburg, this is the replacement for Lokonga. Pretty much impies that we are speculating on a move awat. Still no news on his destination.

It's probably not gonna be to us IMO. I'd love for Lokonga to come here but I'd imagine because he isn't "proven" yet they'll let him slide. I look at Azeez and Patino being touted as fringe first teamers next season (which I doubt they'll actually play any minutes) and it reminded me that we already have similar players coming through, particularly in the case of Azeez who is physically adept. Still, would be nice to have a slightly more ready-made version.

Lokonga will probably go to a team like Brighton, he might even replace Bissouma.

 

[TakeChillPill]

How are we so bad at signing players with great potential.

 

[MutableEarth]

How are we so bad at signing players with great potential.

Because Arteta IMO doesn't really want potential because he can't rely on it, he wants players who can immediately come in and do something. That's not to say Lokonga can't but perhaps a reason why we are targeting a player like Neves instead, who's been in England for a minute and knows the league.

As I also outlined, regarding the type of midfielder Lokonga is, we already have not 1 but 2 similar players to him, both younger and also with a great deal of potential. I personally would still like us to sign him as I think his ceiling could be very high but I've revised my thoughts on it slightly as it's not really a need. I think focusing our attention on Bissouma and (sigh) Neves would be a better bet.

 

[SingmeasongSong]

Because Arteta IMO doesn't really want potential because he can't rely on it, he wants players who can immediately come in and do something. That's not to say Lokonga can't but perhaps a reason why we are targeting a player like Neves instead, who's been in England for a minute and knows the league.

As I also outlined, regarding the type of midfielder Lokonga is, we already have not 1 but 2 similar players to him, both younger and also with a great deal of potential. I personally would still like us to sign him as I think his ceiling could be very high but I've revised my thoughts on it slightly as it's not really a need. I think focusing our attention on Bissouma and (sigh) Neves would be a better bet.

I've always wanted the Dortmund route and a coach that thinks in that manner from day one after Wenger.

Thought Arteta was to embrace that approach, it's where he let me down the most and Saliba was the prime example as to why I'm fed up.

 

[Barry]

Because Arteta IMO doesn't really want potential because he can't rely on it, he wants players who can immediately come in and do something. That's not to say Lokonga can't but perhaps a reason why we are targeting a player like Neves instead, who's been in England for a minute and knows the league.

As I also outlined, regarding the type of midfielder Lokonga is, we already have not 1 but 2 similar players to him, both younger and also with a great deal of potential. I personally would still like us to sign him as I think his ceiling could be very high but I've revised my thoughts on it slightly as it's not really a need. I think focusing our attention on Bissouma and (sigh) Neves would be a better bet.

Agree, I doubt we would sign Neves and Lokonga because they have similar styles and wouldn't both play. Not a massive fan, but Neves would be the more immediate, safer option with PL experience and decent defensive prowess.

 

[Wiggins]

Wenger attracted players like this; it was good for their careers.

Whereas, Arteta repels players like this.

 

[TornadoTed]

We definitely need at least 2 midfielders so this one makes sense alongside another more high profile name like Neves or Bissouma, I can't see us buying two £30-40mcentral midfielders.

I still feel the biggest problem with the Xhaka/Partey partnership was not the partnership itself particularly but the drop off in quality if either didn't play and Ceballos or Elneny started.

 

[boonthegoon]

Linked to both neves and lokonga today. Contrary to opinions here. Hoping we do try for both.

 

[MauveGunner]

Belgian press is very quiet around Sambi though. Only read yesterday that AC Milan isn't in the race anymore. But no more specific details about where is is heading.

 

[Impact]

Watched a number of videos and Lokonga looks a good prospect but in my opinion, not a good enough one to justify blocking the pathways of Miguel Azeez and Charlie Patino and with Joe Willock still on our books. I'd pass right now and use the funds elsewhere.

Having said that, once our squad rebuild has been completed, this is exactly the type of profile we should be targeting and utilising loans (to PL and other continental sides) to develop for the first team or to sell on for profit.

 

[Yousif Arsenal]

Watched a number of videos and Lokonga looks a good prospect but in my opinion, not a good enough one to justify blocking the pathways of Miguel Azeez and Charlie Patino and with Joe Willock still on our books. I'd pass right now and use the funds elsewhere.

Having said that, once our squad rebuild has been completed, this is exactly the type of profile we should be targeting and utilising loans (to PL and other continental sides) to develop for the first team or to sell on for profit.

Not going to block anybody because we are losing many midfielders. Even for example we signed Lokanga and Neves guys like Azeez will be 5th choice

 

[Yousif Arsenal]

The Athletic today reported that Lokanga is a target in midfield but not from orny its from the Gunnerblog who less reliable

 

[Dutch D]

In terms of profile this signing makes sense. We don't have a number 6 in the squad currently aside from Elneny (not counting AMN and Torreira) and Elneny is dreadful. A starting 6 and a promising back-up 6 make sense in that regard. Don't know this particular player, but his profile is appealing to me.

 

[Impact]

Not going to block anybody because we are losing many midfielders. Even for example we signed Lokanga and Neves guys like Azeez will be 5th choice

Of course he would. Where is the game time for Azeez (19 near the start of the season) and Patino (18 near the start of the season) going to come from over the next two to three years if we sign a 21 year old project? It’s fine if you think he is an elite talent (ala Camavinga) but if he’s a level below there’s little point. I would have thought people would have had more faith in Hale Enders given Saka and Smith Rowe and to a lesser extent Willock, Maitland-Niles, Nketiah and Iwobi’s emergences in recent years. We clearly have a lot of internal talent requiring game time for development.

 

[Yousif Arsenal]

Of course he would. Where is the game time for Azeez (19 near the start of the season) and Patino (18 near the start of the season) going to come from over the next two to three years if we sign a 21 year old project? It’s fine if you think he is an elite talent (ala Camavinga) but if he’s a level below there’s little point. I would have thought people would have had more faith in Hale Enders given Saka and Smith Rowe and to a lesser extent Willock, Maitland-Niles, Nketiah and Iwobi’s emergences in recent years. We clearly have a lot of internal talent requiring game time for development.

Depends a 1 or 2 injures and Azeez chance will come also i dont think the coaching stuff will risk and put Azeez Patino as 4th choice because we want ready players to compete for top 4 at least i think we may send them on loan specially we dont have europe.

 

[Wiggins]

If the price is right we should do it. Give Azeez lots of cup matches

 

[Rasmi]

If the price is right we should do it. Give Azeez lots of cup matches

We could have potentially 2 cup games next season. Azeez needs a loan

 

[Wiggins]

We could have potentially 2 cup games next season. Azeez needs a loan

True. I perhaps thought he might get some league matches as well, but then I remembered who our manager is.