Prefer Tchouameni but this bloke is cheaper.

Sambibol!

So, how good?

He's not a first XI signing is he? Because if we are replacing Xhaka with this kid, we'll be lucky to make the top half in 21/22.

Talks that Atalanta and Napoli have also entered the fray.

Di Marzio: Atalanta and Napoli are interested in Lokonga but Arsenal have already offered €12m

Yep, Napoli in for him, that means he has already signed with us

If I am Lokonga I will play for Gasperini , not Arteta.

Good thing you’re not him, and we can hope he makes the right choice.

Not sure if we're the right choice, but I still hope he chooses us. Nevertheless it's a good sign that Atalanta are after him.

suppose it's a good sign if bayern are also interested, even if the quality of their centre mid recruitment has been a bit up and down and recent years

Napoli are in for him too apparently, so it's pretty much nailed on that he'll sign for us.

Seems to be highly rated, this would be the right sort of signing to compliment the first XI.

Not sure on this guy. Looks quite raw. Loose with many of his touches and passes but no doubt has talent

Interesting to see what this guy costs vs what we get for Douzi.

Tier 1 for Belgium players.

Am I right in thinking he's basically a budget Bissouma?

If so it's not the worst idea in the world. Feels like players of that mould should be fairly easy to find with good scouting and analytics before they become too high profile.

That's surprising. I feel like the comps that I've seen only really focused on his passing so I assumed he wasn't that good defensively.

His compilations look terrible but I assumed it's because the idiots who make those videos don't actually bother to focus on a players strengths and just include clips of the handful of goals and assists they can find and a few floaty cross field balls.

Clrnc wrote:

Athletic ran an in depth stats feature on him. He's not outstanding in many departments except the defensive ones and aerially

I wouldn't mind that if we were signing a straight up starting DM for him to be back up to. Something like Partey-Bissouma/Tchouameni with Willock-Lokonga as their back ups would be decent.

Clrnc wrote:

I will link the article and the stat image later. I was surprised too, his stats for passing is really non expansive

Are you sure you got it right? Aside from carry/dribble he looks fairly rounded.

Full article for the cheap skates.

[spoiler][size=x-large][font=tiempos, serif]What Albert Sambi Lokonga could bring to Arsenal[/font][/size]
https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2021/06/15114114/Albert-Sambi-Lokonga-Arsenal-analysis-e1623771741863.png[/img]

[size=x-small][font=Calibre, sans-serif]By Art de Roché and Tom Worville Jun 16, 2021[size=xx-small]https://theathletic.com/app/themes/athletic/assets/img/comment-icon.png[/img] 58 https://theathletic.com/app/themes/athletic/assets/img/save-icon.png[/img][/size][/font][/size]
[size=medium][font=adobe-caslon-pro, serif]Arsenal’s recent focus has turned to Belgium Under-21 international Albert Sambi Lokonga as their need for midfield reinforcements heightens.
The Athletic revealed the club’s interest in the 21-year-old last week and a formal bid has now been made in the region of €15 million, with Anderlecht holding out for closer to €20 million.
He impressed at Anderlecht this season, taking the captain’s armband from December onwards and earning a place on Roberto Martinez’s Euro 2020 standby list.
Lokonga emerging as a transfer target provides proof that top-of-the-pitch creativity is not the sole priority for Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu this summer. Although a knockback in the pursuit of Martin Odegaard will disturb transfer plans, making their midfield more durable and dynamic is a front Arsenal will continue to fight on.
It is an area that has become too pedestrian and predictable. Arsenal ranked fifth in the Premier League in 2020-21 for total distance of passes (341,180 yards) but dropped down to 13th for progressive passing distance (93,564 yards), with much of their play too passive.
Arteta continuing with a 3-4-3 formation in the first half of the season contributed to this. Rather than looking forward to hit a No 10 or a striker, those in midfield tended to look wide to the wing-backs, who carried most of the attacking responsibility during this time.
Upon reverting to a 4-2-3-1, more vertical passing lanes opened up. Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka in particular benefited from this, ending the season rated 47/99 and 40/99 for progressive passing respectively by smarterscout. Smarterscout is a site that gives players a rating from 0-99, relating to either how often a player does a given stylistic action compared with others playing in that position.
Xhaka’s role, dropping between centre-back and left-back, was tailor-made for him, so the best example of this from Partey came in March’s comeback 3-3 draw against West Ham.
https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2021/06/15104439/Thomas-Partey-Forward-Pass-vs-West-Ham-2-1024x576.png[/img]
After receiving the ball under pressure from Jesse Lingard, Partey fires the ball through traffic into Alexandre Lacazette, who immediately looks for Bukayo Saka coming off the right.
https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2021/06/15104738/Thomas-Partey-Forward-Pass-vs-West-Ham-3.1-1024x576.png[/img]
This route forward was instrumental in Arsenal’s wresting back control of the game, as Partey helped improve the tempo alongside Martin Odegaard on the day.
https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2021/06/15104930/Thomas-Partey-Forward-vs-West-Ham-1-1024x576.png[/img]
https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2021/06/15111225/export.png[/img]
That urgency was not always present, however. Ensuring it is more of a feature in Arsenal’s play is necessary and Lokonga has the tools for that. Used as both a No 6 in a 4-3-3 (17 times) and a No 8 in a 4-2-3-1 (20 times) last season, he displayed a willingness to move the ball forward, whether that be by carrying it himself or passing.
Ending the campaign, his progressive passing rating of 55/99 bested Xhaka (47/99), Partey (40/99) and Mohamed Elneny’s (15/99) rating, which may play into the fact that he retained the ball at a lesser rate — albeit just above the Premier League average for a defensive midfielder.
https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2021/06/15062359/pass_style_albert_sambi_lokonga.png[/img]
Tending to attempt medium-range passes most often, this may be most useful in that middle third but it is important to consider how his style will translate into the Arsenal midfield.
As explored last week, Arteta has always been keen on a 4-3-3 system. He attempted it immediately during Project Restart but abandoned those plans due to the tools available at the time. Lokonga presents the option to move to that with his experience playing at the base of midfield in the same formation for Vincent Kompany at Anderlecht, where medium-range forward passes are vital.
https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2021/06/15105350/Albert-Sambi-Lokonga-Forward-Pass-vs-Germany-1-1024x576.png[/img]
Head up upon receiving the ball against Germany Under-21s, Lokonga quickly sees the picture and decides to pass the ball forwards.
https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2021/06/15105533/Albert-Sambi-Lokonga-Forward-Pass-vs-Germany-2-1024x576.png[/img]
If you look through videos of his season, passes like this will crop up frequently. These are the types of through balls that need to be made more often at the Emirates Stadium.
As well as having that experience, when given the licence to roam in a 4-2-3-1, Lokongo has proven he has the spatial awareness and agility to move away from pressure and travel with the ball.
In his seven games for Belgium Under-21s, he has been primarily used as a No 8, which is when he gets the freedom to advance a tad more, helping create better passing angles.
https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2021/06/15110145/Albert-Sambi-Lokonga-Movement-Redo-1024x576.png[/img]
As Orel Mangala pushed forward, Lokonga ghosted behind his marker to show for the ball.
His presence attracted a marker, he plays the ball inside and it’s immediately popped back into the vacated space.
https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2021/06/15110359/Albert-Sambi-Lokonga-Movement-vs-Germany-3-1024x576.png[/img]
Whether it be as a No 6 or a No 8 that ability to move away from trouble will be invaluable, especially as it appears an innate aspect of his game.
As a midfielder that can fulfil both holding and box-to-box roles, what he does out of possession will be important. It is clear, however, that stylistically, there will be more emphasis on what Lokonga does in possession rather than viewing him as a destroyer.
https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2021/06/15064636/pizza_albert_sambi_lokonga_DM_2020-21.png[/img]
In regards to tangible defensive actions, Lokonga is not too active, as seen in his ratings for ball recoveries and interceptions (20/99), and disrupting opposition moves (23/99). It is rare for him to rack up fouls, tackles, clearances and blocks when defending. Instead, he tries to defend spaces, which would suit Arteta, who made a big deal of the issue last season.
Between January and March, an incredibly high line was deployed. This worked well in January’s 3-1 win against Southampton.
Although he did not explain the reasoning, the Spaniard did similar against Manchester City and Leicester City in February, with Pablo Mari taking incredibly advanced positions to limit space inside.
Rather than relying on a centre-back to do that job, adding another capable midfielder who can block key passing lanes and apply pressure appears logical.
Though Lokonga is not always engaged in defensive duels, he is an effective tackler and is just above average when it comes to winning open-play headers, helped by his 6ft frame.
https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2021/06/15064423/duels_albert_sambi_lokonga.png[/img]
Ever-important in this discussion, however, is how his style will translate at Arsenal under Arteta.
For how encouraging his use of space when receiving passes is and the decisions he goes on to make with those passes, the time and space Lokonga has been given in the Jupiler League is much more than he would get in the Premier League.
Overcoaching is an accusation that has been laid at Arteta also and if that comes into play, and he is directing where the ball should go too often, that may leave less room for the instinct needed in midfield.
As a result, if Arsenal secure Lokonga’s signature, expecting carbon copies of his performances for Anderlecht immediately may not be wise. Captaining Anderlecht at 21 years old and overcoming two knee injuries to play 50 games over the past two seasons are impressive notes to his CV but allowing him time to develop is crucial.
With the qualities Lokonga possesses, this definitely feels like a step in the right direction. The dynamic of Arsenal’s midfield has been too static for too long. He has the qualities to build on the arrival of Partey last summer and add vibrancy to the middle third of the pitch, with much more room for him to develop.
More must be done to truly strengthen ahead of next season — Arsenal would be wise to continue their search for a creative midfield option — but, as the first active move of the summer, this could be a promising one.[/font][/size]
[/spoiler]

goon wrote:

His compilations look terrible but I assumed it's because the idiots who make those videos don't actually bother to focus on a players strengths and just include clips of the handful of goals and assists they can find and a few floaty cross field balls.

I can't stand videos that mainly consist of a player's goals/shots if they play any position bar up front. It's moronic.

goon wrote:

Am I right in thinking he's basically a budget Bissouma?

Pretty much. Also very raw still.

He looks nowhere near as fast / agile as Bissouma. More like a Xhaka replacement.

He sounds like a good upgrade on Elneny. I'm very pro replacing 28 year old nothing players with youngsters with potential.

He's actually a replacement for Torreira I would think. He will likely be the first choice backup MF and Elneny the 4th choice for the 2 at the base of MF unless we happen to bring in 2 more MFs, which I highly doubt. Likely Partey and a new partner backed up by Lokonga and Elneny?

Hopefully.

BWooley wrote:

He's actually a replacement for Torreira I would think. He will likely be the first choice backup MF and Elneny the 4th choice for the 2 at the base of MF unless we happen to bring in 2 more MFs, which I highly doubt. Likely Partey and a new partner backed up by Lokonga and Elneny?

That'd be a pretty shitty scenario.

Qwiss! wrote:

BWooley wrote:

He's actually a replacement for Torreira I would think. He will likely be the first choice backup MF and Elneny the 4th choice for the 2 at the base of MF unless we happen to bring in 2 more MFs, which I highly doubt. Likely Partey and a new partner backed up by Lokonga and Elneny?

That'd be a pretty shitty scenario.

Sounds like a good use of funds to me. 

Sounds like a weak squad to me.

We don't need a Toreira replacement now that we are out of Europe. We need to move Xhaka Douzi ElNeny Toreira AMN and aim higher than Lokonga.

Qs, if you have Partey, Locatelli, Lokonga, and Elneny, it works well. If Partey and Locatelli start around 60% of the games together and then you divide the other games so that one of the senior players is usually there with a junior player, then you end up with about 2500 league minutes for each of Partey and Locatelli and about 900 minutes for the subs. Saka had about 2500 minutes this season.

Partey, Locatelli, Willock and Lokonga sounds perfect though.

It's not weak but there's just no need for Elneny there as 4th/5th choice imo, especially without Europe. All that will happen is he'll get mins in cups that should go to our most promising breakthrough midfielder like Azeez or Patino.

Quincy Abeyie wrote:

Partey, Locatelli, Willock and Lokonga sounds perfect though.

That could work as well. I was working under the assumption that Willock is an AM