Arsenal’s Albert Sambi Lokonga has quickly earned a starting spot with Luton Town after returning from his extended injury absence.

Arsenal don’t have the best record with Premier League loans, with players often struggling to get consistent minutes at their loan clubs, and this season initially appeared to be no different.

Nuno Tavares has faced significant difficulties breaking into the Nottingham Forest side, only recently getting his first game in three months.

It was a similar story for Albert Sambi Lokonga, as an injury the midfielder suffered in September left him out of action for two-and-a-half months right at the start of his loan spell.

But things are starting to turn around for Lokonga in recent weeks, with his comeback from injury going about as well as he could have hoped.

After an 18-minute cameo appearance for Luton against Manchester City on December 10th, Lokonga has gone on to start Luton’s next five matches in all competitions.

That’s included wins over Newcastle United and Sheffield United, Friday’s comeback draw with Burnley, and just one narrow 3-2 defeat to Chelsea.

Luton finally seem to have some hope of avoiding relegation, pushing ahead of Sheffield United and Burnley at the bottom of the league and closing the gap on the teams above.

There’s a long way to go, but it looks like Lokonga will be a key part of the second half of Luton’s season.

The midfielder completed 89% of his passes on Friday, winning five of six individual duels, completing his only attempted dribbled, and getting involved in a few chances – creating one and taking two shots of his own.

Luton will play their FA Cup replay against Bolton Wanderers next on Tuesday, January 16th, before going on their winter break.