“P***** off” Albert Sambi Lokonga receives clear message on future from Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta has challenged Albert Sambi Lokonga to step up and prove himself on the pitch – just weeks after the frustrated Arsenal star admitted he “snapped” over a lack of first-team opportunities.

Lokonga arrived at the Emirates from Anderlecht last year, but he has struggled to nail down a regular spot in Arteta’s team. The 23-year-old has started just 14 Premier League games since joining the Gunners and he has been vocal over his limited gametime.

The Belgian ace told Belgian outlet La Derniere Heure last week: “It’s a personal decision [to stay at Arsenal]. I wanted to give myself another year to stay at Arsenal and then see what happens. I think I have the qualities to succeed here. Last season, I didn’t perform at my best level. I still have things to prove.

“At the end of last season, I almost snapped. I called my agent to ask him if staying at Arsenal was a good idea. He comforted me in my choice, even though I know I need to start more often to develop.”

A dearth of first-team opportunities at the Emirates has had a knock-on effect on Lokonga’s international career and he admitted earlier this month that he had been left “p***** off” with Belgium boss Roberto Martinez after he failed to feature in either of March’s international fixtures.

Although Lokonga has found domestic opportunities hard to come by, he has featured more prominently this term and has been an ever-present in the Europa League, where the Gunners are aiming to maintain their 100 per cent record in the competition after sealing safe passage into the knockout phase last week.

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Mikel Arteta has urged Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga to do his talking on the pitch

After starting in last week’s 1-0 win over PSV Eindhoven, Lokonga is expected to retain his spot when the Gunners face the Dutch giants in the reverse fixture on Thursday night.

But in the wake of Lokonga’s latest comments, Arteta has urged the disgruntled ace to ensure he lets his football do the talking. When he was asked how manages to keep players happy, the Spaniard simply responded: “Play them and then speak on the pitch, that’s the best way.”

Arsenal have been repeatedly linked with signing another midfielder in January after missing out on a deadline day deal for Douglas Luiz and any new arrival would directly impact Lokonga’s chances of featuring regularly. Arteta refused to be drawn, however, when he was asked if he believes Lokonga has done enough to convince him that the Gunners no longer need midfield reinforcements in the New Year.

Arteta added: “We will see more and he needs to prove that what he’s asking for, he can produce on the pitch. And that’s the challenge for every single player, to raise the level and put the right competition in the team, and when you play, perform in a way that we can win and play good enough to win the games.”