Albert Sambi Lokonga says he can play in any midfield for Arsenal – but suggests he can be at his best as “number six”.
The Gunners finally completed their long-running quest for the 21-year-old on Monday and arrived from Anderlecht for a fee of around £ 15 million.
He comes very highly ranked and adds a much-needed reinforcement to Mikel Arteta’s engine room amid speculation about Granit Xhaka’s future.
Albert Sambi Lokonga can play as No. 6 and No. 8 …
This is how Arsenal will play with him in midfield. ?
– 90min (@ 90min_Football) July 19, 2021
But there has been a lot of discussion about where his best position really is. He played both as a six and an eight throughout his time in Anderlecht and in the youth teams in Belgium, but manager Vincent Kompany had previously admitted that he must improve defensively if he is to become a holding midfielder.
However, Lokonga believes that this view does not correspond to what he has heard before. Speaking to the Arsenal website after his arrival, he said that he is capable in both positions, but has been told that he is best when he sits between the lines.
“I can play both,” he said. “I can play as a sixer and I can play as a box-to-box, but people say I’m better in position six.”
Lokonga joins Arsenal after a decade that has come through the ranks in Anderlecht and made 78 appearances for the first team in his boys’ club. He will not be confused by the move up to the Premier League, but says he feels confident in his ability to hit the ground in England.
“It’s a big move because I have played for Anderlecht for ten years so it will be my first big move to another country.
So … Albert? Or Zambia?
We asked the man himself? pic.twitter.com/ohpQXm2T1W
– Arsenal (@Arsenal) 19 July 2021
“It is a big step, but I feel confident that we must be. In the world of football, you have to feel confident, but I want to play in this league and I can not wait to start. ”
