10 July 2023 , 18:01
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Albert Sambi Lokonga has not travelled with the rest of his Arsenal team-mates to Germany for the first leg of their pre-season tour.
The Belgium international has taken to Instagram to clarify why he hasn't made the trip, revealing that he is ruled out of action due to an injury. Uploading a snap of himself on a bike machine, Lokonga accompanied the picture with a caption that read: "Due to a muscular injury, I'll sadly not be part of the summer camp with the team in Germany. I'm focused now on my recovery to prepare for the season and be ready to help the team at my fullest capacity."
Some feel this puts to bed the theory that Lokonga didn't join his colleagues at Adidas' base in Nuremberg because of his some eyebrow-raising comments he made regarding his club future.
Lokonga was asked about his plans for the summer window by YouTube channel Wonhee Hyung and he explained: "I don’t know. I will try to go somewhere where I can play so that’s the most important thing for me – to have some games and play game after game."
The former Anderlecht captain has found first-team football hard to come by at the Emirates since his switch in the summer of 2021, particularly last term. He actually ended last season at Crystal Palace, after joining the Eagles on loan at the half-way point of the campaign.
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That temporary spell at Selhurst Park failed to inspire a real significant upturn in Lokonga's form and that was shown by Palace's lack of effort when it came to keeping him on a permanent basis.
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Albert Sambi Lokona has underwhelmed at Arsenal (Getty Images)It is widely believed that Arsenal are open to the idea of cashing in on Lokonga, who clearly doesn't seem to be fazed by the idea of a move away if it brings more minutes on the pitch.
There has been speculation that the 23-year-old could be in line for a reunion with former manager Vincent Kompany at recently-promoted Burnley. The pair worked closely together at Anderlecht and the Manchester City legend has previously spoken very highly of the Arsenal talent.
Kompany even once likened Lokonga to fellow Etihad hero Yaya Toure, claiming: "The first thing I did when I saw Sambi was I went to Mikel [Arteta], and also Pep [Guardiola], but Mikel first and I said, 'You’ve got to watch this guy, he’s the new Yaya Toure.'
"And anyway, nothing comes from it, he’s got a cruciate ligament [injury] and then I end up falling into the management job at Anderlecht so I’m working with him now.
"I had the same conversation about him with Mikel, I still believe the same thing now [that he could be the new Toure]."
Lokonga has not managed to live up to the glowing endorsement given to him by Kompany during his time at Arsenal and could look to revive his flatlining career elsewhere.