There was supposed to be a quiet revolution in the midfield in Arsenal, who should be composed, calm and continental, which was Albert Sambi Lokonga. He was given a chance with everything in 2021 with the ingredients of vision, poise and a touch of European sophistication that causes the Premier League fans to swoon. Three seasons later, he is in Hamburg and he is banging them in as a man who has been set free of an imaginary leash.
According to sources, the move was less about ability and more about opportunity — or the lack thereof.
When Faith Runs Out Faster Than Form
During Mikel Arteta, Lokonga played fewer and fewer minutes than the chance of Arsenal to win the title in May. He was then loaned out to Crystal Palace in the following season, then to Luton Town and Sevilla – as a talented musician handed over to other orchestras. He played it every time: clean passing, tactical discipline and lightning of leadership. But back at Arsenal, it was as if the conductor never noticed. His brother, Paul-José M’Poku, didn’t mince words, suggesting Arteta “wasn’t 100% fair.” And let’s be honest — he might be onto something.
Albert Sambi Lokonga: The New Beat at Hamburg
Now at Hamburg SV, Lokonga’s found his rhythm again. Two goals in four games — not exactly Beethoven’s Ninth, but for a holding midfielder, that’s practically a chart-topper. His performances haven’t changed much; only the stage has. The Bundesliga, it seems, allows him to play without glancing nervously at the bench every five minutes.
Author’s Take: Arsenal’s Loss, Hamburg’s Jazz
Let’s call it what it is — Arsenal blinked. In a league obsessed with instant brilliance, patience is a lost virtue. Lokonga may never have been flashy, but he was steady — the kind of player who keeps chaos under check. Hamburg, in contrast, gave him the mic and said, “Play.” And now? He’s playing like he never left the symphony.
As featured on GoonerNews.com
