Sambi Lokonga | “I’m really looking forward to playing in front of the fans”
Luton Town’s final piece of business in the summer transfer window was the arrival of Arsenal midfielder Sambi Lokonga on a season-long loan.
The 23-year-old Belgium international discussed the move, his first experience of Kenilworth Road from the stands last Friday night and the importance of the Hatters fans.
“I’ve met some nice people here,” said Lokonga. “We’ve had good training sessions at good facilities, so it’s been a good few days and it’s been really easy to settle in.
“Moving to Arsenal was a big step for me in my career, I’m proud whenever I put on that Arsenal shirt but first, I have a job to do here at Luton Town.
“What I bring the team is the ability to help my teammates with the ball and without the ball, by helping them through communication.
“I have experience from when I was on loan at Crystal Palace last season as well so I know we need to grab every point that we can.
“We need to be smart and we need to ruthless in front of goal in the Premier League.”
Luton’s new number 28 was in attendance when the Hatters fell to defeat against West Ham United last Friday night, but Lokonga praised the passion of our home support.
“We did not perform badly against West Ham on Friday, we were close to getting back into the game until they scored their second goal which killed our momentum.
“Even after we scored, we had some chances to level the game. We need to believe every time and with the fans behind us we need to push every day in training and every game, we’ll need the fans this season.
“Before I even walked into the stadium, I could hear the fans from outside singing and making noise so I’m really looking forward to playing in front of them, hopefully they will give us energy throughout the games that we will be playing at home.”
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Belgian international will help Luton add some ‘control’ in the Premier League according to Hatters boss
Hatters boss Rob Edwards believes the deadline day signing of Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga can help his side have a bit more ‘control’ during their top flight matches this season.
In the three fixtures that Luton have played so far, going up against Brighton, Chelsea and West Ham United, they have averaged just under 34 percent possession per game, yet to pick up a point for troubles.
Looking to rectify that, Edwards swooped to bring in the 23-year-old, who came through Anderlecht’s youth academy, going on to play over 71 times for the Belgian Division One club, costing the Gunners £15 in July 2021.
Lokonga’s stats back up the Town chief’s hopes too, as during his six Premier League outings for the Emirates club last season, he had a passing success rate of 94.3%, with 0.8 interceptions a match too.
Starting all six of the Gunners’ Europa League group stages games, he enjoyed a 92% passing success rate, averaging 53.8 passes per game, 0.8 tackles as well.
Then when going to Crystal Palace during January, Lokonga had the Eagles’ highest success rate from anyone who had played over five minutes, with 87.6%, also averaging 1.4 tackles per match.
It is something Edwards has clearly earmarked that Luton need, as so far Amari’i Bell and Marvelous Nakamba lead the way for passes, with 36.7 per game, summer signing Tahith Chong averaging the highest completion rate with 89.2%.
On the midfielder, who was in the directors box for Town’s 2-1 defeat against West Ham on Friday, and has won one full cap for Belgium back in September 2021, Edwards said: “I’m delighted to get him in and had a really good chat with him.
“He’s really keen to come and help us and play, he’s desperate to play football too.
“I think he’s going to be someone who can help us control the game a little bit more, he’s going to be able to give us something different from an in-possession point of view, so that’s a real plus.
“He can give us the opportunity to maybe play with a double pivot as well if a certain game requires it, so it gives us some flexibility, some Premier League experience.
“I think he’s a really good footballer, an intelligent footballer, and someone who’s hungry to come and play so very happy to get it done.”
