Albert Sambi Lokonga reveals that a phone call from Patrick Vieira convinced him to join Crystal Palace on loan – and insists the Arsenal legend ‘is going to push me to be a better player’
- Albert Sambi Lokonga was persuaded to leave Arsenal by a Gunners legend
- Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira signed him on loan until the end of the season
- The Belgian midfielder said his new manager will ‘push me to be a better player’
Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira persuaded Albert Sambi Lokonga to leave the Gunners and join his Crystal Palace team on loan with a phone call, the midfielder revealed.
The Eagles confirmed the deadline day capture of Lokonga on Tuesday, in a bid to strengthen their squad in the middle of the pitch until the end of the current campaign.
Palace boss Vieira made over 270 appearances for Arsenal in a spell from 1996 to 2005, winning three Premier League titles in that time.
But the 46-year-old World Cup winner had no qualms with talking the 23-year-old Belgian into joining the south London club for the remainder of their season.
Lokonga told the Crystal Palace website: ‘I had him on the phone and it was a good opportunity to come here, to show myself and to help the boys reach their objectives.
Albert Sambi Lokonga was persuaded to briefly leave Arsenal by former player Patrick Vieira
The Crystal Palace boss, who played for Arsenal between 1996 and 2005, spoke to Lokonga
‘He said to me ‘welcome’. He is going to push me to be a better player – I am looking forward to it.’
Lokonga’s exit comes amid a great Arsenal run this season to the top of the Premier League table, but he has seen his own playing time in domestic matches limited by Thomas Partey.
His final Arsenal appearance before the loan move was replacing Partey at half-time as the Gunners exited the FA Cup against Manchester City.
The Gunners also made their own deadline day move by acquiring former Chelsea midfielder Jorginho, who would probably have left Lokonga on the sidelines for longer during their season.
The Belgian admitted: ‘It was not easy [to leave Arsenal] because as you can see they are top of the league, but for me the important thing was the confidence of the coach.’
Lokonga could make his Crystal Palace debut…