Things are going well for both Arsenal and Crystal Palace in the Premier League right now.
The Gunners sit top of the Premier League ahead of Manchester City, while the Eagles have now won three games in a row since Roy Hodgson replaced Patrick Vieira.
However, there is one reason for Arsenal fans to be concerned about developments at Crystal Palace.
What’s the story?
Well, Hodgson has made a few small tweaks to turn things around for Crystal Palace – one of those being his decision to drop Albert Sambi Lokonga from the starting XI.
The Belgium international joined Crystal Palace on loan from Arsenal back in January and proceeded to walk straight into the starting XI under Vieira, although he didn’t win a single game under the Frenchman.
Hodgson has since dropped Lokonga in preference of a midfield trio containing Eberechi Eze, Jeffrey Schlupp and Cheick Doucoure.
While the 75-year-old has been proven right to do so as he picks up nine points from a possible nine, the decision surely has many Arsenal fans wondering what the future holds for their Belgian prospect.
Lokonga has only played five minutes of football across Hodgson’s three games, so the experienced figure clearly thinks the 23-year-old has things to work on.
Crystal Palace loan doesn’t help Arsenal
Arsenal probably hoped that Lokonga would restore his reputation at Selhurst Park, allowing Arsenal to either cash in on him this summer or reintroduce a revitalised option to their midfield department.
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However, the £15m man has arguably gone backwards since joining the south Londoners, and Mikel Arteta has a big decision to make at the end of the season.
The Times believe Arsenal are likely to sell Lokonga this summer as they look to raise some funds to ease their £180m debt, with Kieran Tierney another who could be moved on.
Therefore – by the sounds of it – Lokonga is playing for his Arsenal career at Crystal Palace.
If he cannot break into Hodgson’s starting XI soon with only seven games remaining this season, it may be curtains for Lokonga at the Emirates Stadium.
In other news, Why Brighton fans chanted about £35m Liverpool man on Saturday
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