Albert Sambi Lokonga’s permanent move to German side Hamburg this summer closed a difficult period at Arsenal, but his brother has now publicly criticized manager Mikel Arteta for his handling of the midfielder.
Player’s Brother Accuses Mikel Arteta of Unfair Treatment in Lokonga’s Arsenal Exit
Lokonga originally joined Arsenal in 2021 and enjoyed a promising first season, featuring regularly in the team.
However, his involvement significantly decreased in the following campaign. He subsequently spent time on loan at Crystal Palace and Luton Town before securing a permanent departure.
While Lokonga focuses on reviving his career in the Bundesliga, his brother, Paul-José M’Poku, has voiced strong discontent with Arteta.
M’Poku believes the Arsenal manager did not treat Lokonga fairly, specifically pointing to a sudden drop in playing time after a string of positive early performances.
“When you look at his early days at Arsenal, he played some magnificent matches.
He plays big games,” M’Poku stated to Belgian outlet Walfoot.
“It’s just that at a certain point, Mikel Arteta… That’s where I sometimes get angry with certain coaches. He wasn’t 100% fair to him.”
M’Poku argued that this inconsistent selection policy hampered his brother’s development at a crucial stage.
He remains confident in Lokonga’s ability, stating, “Otherwise, when you look at his performances everywhere he’s been, he’s been successful.”
These comments highlight the frustration within Lokonga’s camp, suggesting he never received a consistent opportunity to prove himself at the Emirates Stadium.
