Arsenal flop Albert Sambi Lokonga has given an insight into what it's like to work with Mikel Arteta, describing him as a "very intense" individual.
The Belgian midfielder, who signed for the Gunners in 2021 following a standout spell at Anderlecht, spoke highly of the Arsenal manager during a chat with Relevo, revealing he's learned more from Arteta than any other boss in his career.
Despite being initially hailed as a top talent, the one-time Belgium international found it challenging to secure a regular spot in Arsenal's first team. After tallying 19 appearances in his debut season, Lokonga has been on loan at Crystal Palace, Luton Town, and currently Sevilla, where he's recently returned from a recurring hamstring injury and could yet join on a permanent basis for a little over £10m.
His journey has been far from easy, but Lokonga showed nothing but praise for Arteta's approach to the game. He detailed his experience at the Emirates and gave props to the Spaniard for his authenticity by saying: "He's very, very intense. And very genuine too.
"He's the one I've worked with the most, and also learned from," revealed Lokonga about Arteta. "He's always there if you want to talk, but when you're on the pitch, he is very demanding. But that's the only way to manage a team like Arsenal. There's a lot of pressure. People are used to winning. And it's normal. It's Arsenal."
Switching from a regular role at Anderlecht to being a squad player for Arsenal was a difficult transition, confessed Lokonga, who shared how taxing the switch was as he eventually become outcasted with little game time for the Gunners. "It was very difficult because all I wanted was to play. I think it was one of the most challenging moments of my career, although I learned a lot," he said (via the Express).
Explaining the importance of resilience through the good times and bad, Lokonga stressed: "Thanks to all that, I'm here today," emphasising the value in embracing lessons from each twist and turn. "You need to learn from that. Absorb everything you can and move forward. Don't stay behind. And that's what I'm doing."
Throughout his time at Arsenal, Lokonga has clocked up 39 appearances across competitions, and it was a rough weekend for his parent cub, who faced defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday (October 19). William Saliba's first-half red card left the Gunners a man down for much of the game, culminating in a shocking 2-0 loss away from home.
The new shirt has returned the Gunners to their roots placing a stripped-down, elegant-looking canon right over the heart of the new shirt. Shirt manufacturers Adidas have produced a "clean and minimal" and the design "embraces modernity, while honouring Arsenal’s rich heritage.
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