%20rotate(-8.06)%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22336.19%20136.81%20330.16%2094.25%20326.06%2071.19%20326.44%2071.13%20335.22%2093.54%20352.29%20134.52%20373.95%20131.46%20362.7%2052.01%20350.02%2053.8%20356.05%2096.36%20360.15%20119.42%20359.77%20119.48%20350.99%2097.08%20333.91%2056.09%20312.25%2059.15%20323.51%20138.6%20336.19%20136.81%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22402.91%2059.3%20412.36%20126.02%20427.17%20123.92%20417.72%2057.21%20431.59%2055.24%20429.79%2042.51%20387.23%2048.53%20389.04%2061.27%20402.91%2059.3%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22463.51%20118.77%20458.69%2084.71%20474.68%2082.44%20479.51%20116.5%20494.36%20114.4%20483.11%2034.95%20468.26%2037.06%20472.96%2070.25%20456.96%2072.52%20452.26%2039.32%20437.4%2041.43%20448.65%20120.88%20463.51%20118.77%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22540.5%20107.87%20538.77%2095.68%20518.91%2098.49%20515.77%2076.29%20535.63%2073.47%20533.93%2061.5%20514.07%2064.32%20511.11%2043.42%20530.98%2040.61%20529.25%2028.42%20494.53%2033.34%20505.78%20112.78%20540.5%20107.87%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22299.03%20155.17%20301.29%20171.58%20542.78%20138.39%20540.5%20121.97%20299.03%20155.17%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
Sambi Lokonga’s Crystal Palace loan is best for his Arsenal career
Belgian youngster Sambi Lokonga struggled to find his feet in the Arsenal squad this season. With Thomas Partey playing lights-out football, Lokonga’s opportunities were limited unless the Ghanaian star was injured.
As the January transfer window endured, Arsenal fans were vocal about their longing for another Partey backup. The club pursued Moises Caicedo but remained composed, unwilling to breach the £80m price tag Brighton & Hove Albion demanded. Instead, the club opted to sign former Chelsea captain and Italian international Jorginho.
The debate around this acquisition has already begun. However, another move may be flying under the radar. Sambi Lokonga has joined Crystal Palace on loan. Sambi has always been a divisive figure among the fanbase. Some Gooners believe in his talent and want him in an Arsenal shirt, with some optimists keen that a loan would be the best for his development.
Otherwise, some are not his biggest fans, to say the least.
Why fans should expect mixed feelings about Sambi Lokonga’s Crystal Palace loan
Another one joins 😍#CPFC
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) January 31, 2023
Arsenal’s number 23 has had some great performances in an Arsenal shirt but came under heavy criticism recently for his performance in the second half of the Gunners’ FA cup tie against Manchester City.
Other stars such as Eddie Nketiah, Charlie Patino, and Folarin Balogun have, or are currently flourishing on loan with other teams. Crystal Palace offers high-level coaching in the form of Patrick Vieira, along with a competitive squad and a host of talent for Lokonga to work with.
During his 25 Premier League appearances so far, the 23-year-old has only made one mistake leading to a goal. He’s talented with the ball, he can pick out a pass and plays with spirit. He has a tackle percentage of 83% and is a pretty robust defender all things considered. However, out of 41 aerial duels, the midfielder lost 22. Sambi lacks positional awareness.
Regardless of Jorginho’s success at north London’s greatest club, fans will keep an eye on Sambi. Under the stewardship of the greatest Arsenal midfielder of all time, fans can be hopeful of a beaming return in the future.