Arsenal star reveals club have told him ‘the best thing for me was to leave’

Arsenal chiefs Mikel Arteta and Edu are set to make some big transfer decisions this summer (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga has confirmed he is likely to leave the Gunners this summer.

The Belgium international joined the north London club in the summer of 2021 from Anderlecht and arrived with a lofty reputation.

Lokonga, however, showed only flashes of potential during his first season at the club and struggled to win the faith of Mikel Arteta.

The 24-year-old endured a difficult loan period at Crystal Palace last season but enjoyed a reputation enhancing spell at Luton during the current campaign.

Injuries might have restricted him to just 19 appearances, but he displayed enough during those games to earn the praise of now former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

Despite earning those plaudits and Arsenal’s apparent need for midfield reinforcements, Lokonga looks set to depart the Emirates once the summer transfer window opens.

‘The love I have received has been amazing, it’s been unbelievable and I’ve never seen this kind of support,’ he told BBC Three Counties Radio.

Albert Sambi Lokonga enjoyed a super season on loan at Luton Town (Picture: Getty)

‘I will be back here for sure. If I’m not playing for Luton I will come for sure to see the guys.

‘I think this was the best decision of my life to come here, to play for this club and I thank Rob [Edwards] for inviting me to join him and be on this journey.

‘I’ve loved everything about here, my time was amazing. I think what the club stands for, the values, that was the right place for me and I’m really happy that I made this choice.

‘We’ve grown a lot as a team and the club also as the club has had to adapt quickly to the Premier League, so it was an amazing journey.’

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On the subject of his Gunners future, he added: ‘For me, I had a discussion with Arsenal and the conclusion was the best thing for me was to leave the club.

‘Now it’s up to my agent and the club to find something.

‘I still have a contract there, one year plus a one-year option so let’s see what happens.’

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