Arsenal flop ‘hungry’ to make most of exit after Luton Town confirm midfielder’s arrival

Albert Sambi Lokonga of Arsenal

Luton Town have confirmed the signing of Albert Sambi Lokonga on loan from Arsenal for the rest of the 2023-24 season.

Lokonga will be embarking on the second loan spell of his Arsenal career after spending time at Crystal Palace last season. Luton agreed a deal to take him away from the Emirates Stadium on deadline day, which has now been confirmed after their 2-1 loss to West Ham at Kenilworth Road on Friday.

Describing the deal, Luton boss Rob Edwards said on their official website: “It’s an exciting signing, he comes with lots of Premier League experience and has brilliant pedigree. I met him and had a really good chat, he’s hungry and wants to play football.

“He knows and understands what we are about, he believes that he can help us and I think it’s a really good fit.

“Another player for our squad who has Premier League quality, we’ll get him now for two weeks during the international break for him to bed in and I’m excited to have him.

“He’s a midfielder who really looks after the ball, he gives us stability to play in a double pivot if needed, but he can also run on and play as a number eight.

“He’ll give us more control in the middle of the pitch during certain moments of games, but he’s someone who hopefully we can help develop as well.”

The Belgian midfielder has struggled to make an impact for Arsenal since his 2021 arrival from Anderlecht, but now has another chance to prove himself in the Premier League.

He might not be the only player to leave Arsenal before the deadline, since Rob Holding is still awaiting confirmation of his move to Crystal Palace.