Arsenal's 'next Yaya Toure' confirms he faces months on sidelines with injury

27 September 2023 , 10:17

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Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga is currently on loan at Luton (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga, who is currently on loan at Luton Town, has revealed he will be sidelined for a "couple of months" after suffering an injury in the Hatters' 1-1 draw with Wolves at the weekend.

Lokonga was tipped to become the "new Yaya Toure" by Manchester City legend and current Burnley boss Vincent Kompany, who worked with the midfielder at Anderlecht. Kompany made the comments shortly after Lokonga made a £17m move to Arsenal in 2021.

In an appearance on Rio Ferdinand's YouTube channel FIVE, Kompany said: "The first thing I did when I saw Sambi is I went to Mikel [Arteta] and also Pep [Guardiola], but Mikel first and said, 'You got to watch this guy, he's the new Yaya Toure.' I'm not sure I'm doing him a favour saying this stuff.

"Look, you know what I like about Sambi, what Yaya did have, is, he wants the ball no matter what. If the team is not doing well, give the ball to Sambi. Team doing well? Give the ball to Sambi. He will never hide away from his responsibilities."

However, after making 19 Premier League appearances for the Gunners in his debut campaign, Lokonga has only made six more since then after falling down the pecking order. The 23-year-old went out on loan to Crystal Palace last season before making a similar switch to Luton this summer.

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Lokonga, though, has suffered a setback after picking up an injury in just his second appearance for the club. The midfielder is facing an extended spell on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury, posting on Instagram : "I thought it was my time to enjoy playing this beautiful game called football and work hard helping my teammates to reach our goal as a team…

"Unfortunately, an injury came to delay everything. I'll be focused on my recovery and support the team during that time. See you in a couple of months. God is good all the time."

When asked about Lokonga's injury following Luton's 1-0 loss to Exeter in the Carabao Cup, Hatters boss Rob Edwards said: "Sambi made a real positive start to his life at Luton Town, two real good performances so it's a real shame for him first and foremost as he wanted to come and perform, play games. He was going to have the opportunity to do that with us and it's a real shame to be missing him now for a period of time.

"It could be a while, we'll have to see. We're disappointed for him as he made a great start and he's a really good player.

"It's a tough one but it happens, it's part of life, part of football. It gives someone else an opportunity and they're going to have to step in so that’s what will happen."

Matthew Cooper