Albert Sambi Lokonga is available to play for Luton Town against Fulham this weekend, after almost five months without a competitive match.
Albert Sambi Lokonga joined Luton Town on loan at the end of the summer transfer window, after a long time without a competitive game.
Lokonga had been on loan with Crystal Palace in 2022/23, but after he came off early in a game against Wolves on April 25th, he didn’t play another minute for the Eagles.
The midfielder returned to Arsenal for pre-season, but an early injury ruled him out of the tour, and he struggled to break back into the squad on his return to fitness.
Then came the loan move to Luton Town, which was only officially confirmed after their deadline-day game against West Ham United.
As a result, that game in April is still Lokonga’s last competitive action on a football pitch.
Discussing the loan signing ahead of their weekend game against Fulham, Luton Town manager Rob Edwards suggested the midfielder is ready to go.
“Sambi will be in and amongst it, he’s ready and available for selection,” Edwards said. “We’re delighted to get him over the line, really, really pleased.
“He’s a very good footballer and he’s trained very well over this last couple of weeks.
“He’s been training very well at Arsenal and he’s had two full weeks with us as well, he’s available for selection, certainly.”
As for how the Arsenal man will be used during his loan spell, Edwards has a few ideas.
“He gives us some different options,” the manager continued. “He can play as an eight, certainly, he can play deeper as well and offer a little bit of different balance in that midfield area.
“He’s someone who is very comfortable on the ball and can give us maybe a little more control at times, but he’s another option and real competition in that midfield slot.
“I said it when we brought him in, Marv (Nakamba) is really alone in that position as a holding midfield player.
“Sambi is someone who can do that role as well and operate higher, so I think it was a really good acquisition for us.”