Albert Sambi Lokonga left Arsenal for Hamburg SV on a permanent transfer on summer deadline day.
The 25-year-old’s brother, Paul-José M’Poku, is currently at Al-Batin, and has accused Mikel Arteta of not treating Lokonga fairly at Arsenal.
Paul-José M’Poku has been speaking to VOO Sport about Lokonga’s spell at Arsenal and Walfoot have relayed his comments.
Arsenal signed the midfielder from Anderlecht in July 2021, and he played 24 matches in his debut season at the Emirates.
The Belgium international started losing prominence under the Gunners manager in his second season. The north London club sent him on loan to Crystal Palace in January 2023 before sanctioning another loan move to Luton Town later that year.
Lokonga spent last season on loan at Sevilla and then joined the Bundesliga club in a permanent deal. He played 2,371 minutes from 39 matches for the Gunners under Mikel Arteta’s orders.
The former Arsenal man has played four matches and has two goals to his name. Paul-José M’Poku insists his brother wasn’t given regular opportunities at Arsenal because of the manager.
“When you look at his performances at Luton Town, Crystal Palace or even Sevilla, he plays like a boss. It’s just that he’s scored fewer goals. Here at Hamburg, he’s scored two goals. But his performances haven’t necessarily changed compared to when he was at Arsenal,” he said.
“When you look at his early days at Arsenal, he played some magnificent matches. He plays big games.
“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. Otherwise, when you look at his performances everywhere he’s been, he’s been successful. But when you score, it makes more noise.”