Arsenal’s Summer Shake-Up: Lokonga Departs as Arteta Eyes Midfield Reinforcements
Arsenal face a pivotal summer as Mikel Arteta looks to construct a squad capable of dethroning Manchester City in the Premier League. To make room for new recruits, several players are expected to leave the Emirates.
Lokonga’s Departure
Among those set to depart is midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga. Despite being highly rated at Arsenal, Lokonga’s future lies elsewhere as Arteta reshapes his squad. The 24-year-old spent the 2023/24 season on loan at Luton Town, where injuries hampered his performance. He made 17 Premier League appearances and scored one goal, but couldn’t prevent Luton from being relegated.
With his contract running until 2026, Arsenal are ready to entertain offers for Lokonga. In a recent interview with VOOsport, which was highlighted by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Lokonga confirmed his impending exit: “My time at Arsenal is slowly coming to the end, I think so. I had a discussion with the club and what was said is that the best solution for me was to leave.”
Arsenal’s Midfield Targets
As Lokonga prepares to move on, Arsenal have already set their sights on several exciting midfield targets. Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes is a notable name on their list, but his £100m price tag makes the move unlikely.
A more feasible option is Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi. The Spaniard is regarded as one of LaLiga’s top defensive midfielders, and Arsenal have been monitoring him since January 2023. Zubimendi has a £51m release clause, which the Gunners are reportedly willing to meet.
Arteta’s Strategy
Arteta’s focus on bolstering the midfield highlights his strategy for the upcoming season. By offloading players like Lokonga, Arsenal aim to streamline their squad and inject new talent capable of challenging for the title. The addition of players like Zubimendi would not only replace outgoing stars like Thomas Partey but also strengthen the team’s core.
This summer promises to be a transformative period for Arsenal, with Arteta determined to build a team that can compete at the highest level. As the transfer window progresses, fans will eagerly watch to see how these plans unfold and which new faces will join the Gunners in their quest for glory.
Arsenal’s Summer Shake-Up: Lokonga Departs as Arteta Eyes Midfield Reinforcements
