Arsenal star Albert Sambi Lokonga has revealed the key similarity he saw ‘quickly’ between Mikel Arteta and Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira. He joined the Eagles on loan in January.
The 23-year-old left Emirates Stadium for Selhurst Park on deadline day for the rest of this season. Arteta had seldom afforded Lokonga regular minutes in north London. But Vieira is so far proving willing to hand the Belgian a prominent presence south of the River Thames.
Lokonga had started in just two of Arsenal’s 19 Premier League fixtures before securing his loan to Crystal Palace. Arteta had further only introduced the one-cap midfielder from the bench during four games. His last top-flight outing under the Spaniard was also in October.
Lokonga is already a regular at Crystal Palace on loan from Arsenal
Arteta was more forthcoming with minutes in Arsenal’s cup encounters. The £15m, rising to £17m, arrival from RSC Anderlecht in 2021 started in all six of the Gunners’ Group A ties in the Europa League. He also started in one of their two FA Cup ties and only EFL Cup tie.
Vieira initially followed suit after naming Lokonga on the bench for Crystal Palace. But the Gunners great has unleashed the Verviers native in all three of the Eagles’ Premier League games available so far. Lokonga also earned a maiden start against Brentford last Saturday.
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Lokonga reveals the stand-out difference between Arteta and Vieira
Lokonga has enjoyed a fairly straightforward transition from Arsenal to Crystal Palace since moving on loan. Vieira favours a rather similar approach to the style Arteta has adopted at the Emirates. It is also what stood out quickly to the ex-Anderlecht captain after his arrival.
“I think they’re both looking to create free men on the pitch,” Lokonga has told talkSPORT. “This is something that you can see quickly. So I will say that’s the main thing of Arteta and Patrick Vieira.”
Arteta will hope Vieira continues to afford Lokonga regular minutes over the Arsenal ace’s loan spell to Crystal Palace. The Belgian should still have a future back at the Emirates next season. But the midfielder must show the Spaniard why he deserves to have a greater role.
In other news, Liverpool transfer news: Reds’ dream signing willing to wait for move
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