The loan transfer of Albert Sambi Lokonga from Arsenal to Crystal Palace has been officially announced.

In the first half of the 2022–23 season, Lokonga was spotty for Arsenal, making just two Premier League starts as the Gunners launched an unexpected title bid.

Lokonga has played only 196 minutes in the Premier League, while the 23-year-old struggled to take his chance when starting all six of Arsenal’s Europa League group-stage games.

In the FA Cup match against Manchester City, he made his final appearance of the season for the Gunners by coming on in place of an injured Thomas Partey.

Arsenal decided to allow Lokonga to go out on loan despite their worries about Partey and the possibility that Mohamed Elneny may be sidelined for the remainder of the season due to an injury.

Looking good, Sambi 💧#CPFC pic.twitter.com/EDHkRRBhcJ

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) January 31, 2023

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They will be expecting that the Belgian’s development will be considerably aided by working for Patrick Vieira.

To play more frequently going forward, the midfielder has now been loaned to Palace for the remainder of the season.

Jorginho, an Italian midfielder who previously played for Chelsea, has taken over in the midfield position at Arsenal, replacing the outgoing player.

Speaking to the club’s official website after making the move, Lokonga said: “I’m really excited – I can’t wait to get started. I’m really happy to join Crystal Palace. I want to go as far as possible with the team. I will try to push for me and the team to do the maximum to reach the top.”

Palace chairman Steve Parish was quick to praise Lokonga too, saying: “I would like to welcome Sambi to south London, and am pleased he has chosen to join Patrick’s squad for the rest of the season, after making an impressive start to life in English football.

“He has been on our radar for several years since his emergence at Anderlecht, and we very much look forward to his contribution as we push to climb the table”.

Another one joins 😍#CPFC

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) January 31, 2023

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According to reports, Arsenal are in talks with Crystal Palace over a loan move for Albert Sambi Lokonga.

After missing out on their top target Moises Caicedo from Brighton, the Gunners have reached a £12 million agreement with Chelsea to sign Jorginho on the final day of the transfer window.

With Arsenal out of both domestic cups, this means that Lokonga, who hasn’t featured in a Premier League match since October, will likely see his game time cut even further.

After a trying few months at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal is anxious to make sure the Belgian international can play regularly to regain his form. Lokonga will work with Patrick Vieira, a former Gunners legend, at Palace, which is eager to sign him.

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Lokonga has fallen increasingly further down the pecking order in north London and has garnered little sympathy from Mikel Arteta.

“We’ll see more, and he has to prove that what he’s asking for he can produce on the pitch,” the Spaniard said in reaction to an interview in which Lokonga stated his frustration at a lack of minutes. “We’re looking for every single player to raise their level and get the right competition in the team, and when you play and perform in a way that we win and play well enough to win games.”

Arsenal’s pursuit of Declan Rice is not considered to be impacted by Lokonga’s transfer. Mikel Arteta’s top summer transfer target is the England international, and the Gunners are eager to sign him away from West Ham.

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