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Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
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Albert Sambi Lokonga exclusive: 'No regrets over Arsenal move but now I want stability'
Albert Sambi Lokonga is unsure exactly what the future holds for him beyond this summer, but he hopes whatever happens the end result is stability. The Arsenal midfielder has just finished his third loan spell in two and a half years after spending last season with Sevilla. Lokonga enjoyed the experience, fulfilling a childhood dream of playing in Spain, but now the season is over attention has turned towards his future. The Belgian's agent has already met with new Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta and the club have taken up the option to extend his contract by a year so that it runs until next summer. 'So the situation is really, really open,' Lokonga tells Standard Sport. 'To talk about my future… I can't say anything, because I really don't know where I will end up. 'I can't say it's tough, because I still have one year on my contract, but it is true that as a player you want to know where you will end up or where you will stay. 'For me, I really don't know what is going to happen - but what I know for sure is I need stability. I need a club where I can stay for two or three years, to play and develop again.' If Lokonga is to leave Arsenal, then his preference would be to stay in Spain. The 25-year-old has enjoyed his time at Sevilla, where both he and his wife have settled in the city. Lokonga learned Spanish quickly, so much so the local music is now on some of his playlists, and the lifestyle has lived up to what he expected. 'It's a country that I could see myself living in after football,' he says. 'Already, before I came here, I was thinking to move to Spain or Portugal. But now it just confirms my opinion that the life here is amazing.' Lokonga has embraced the local culture, admitting he has become a big fan of paella, and he has also got a taste for Spanish football. Growing up, he used to idolise the famous Barcelona midfield of Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Xavi. It is why Lokonga always fancied a stint in La Liga and, even in a difficult season for Sevilla, he has performed well. 'I think it is a really good league and a league that suits me,' he says. 'England is way more physical and here it is more technical. 'I am grateful for the experience that I had in London, at Arsenal, because I learnt a lot. It helped me to be the player that I am today and to impose my style here in Spain. 'Personally, I had really good games over here. I think I did a good job with the team, but obviously when the results of the team are not going that well it's a more difficult to shine. 'I really liked it, because I started as a No6. At times I was a No8 and I ended up nearly like a false nine! Unluckily I didn't score, but I think I was very dangerous when I played in this position. 'It was a great experience and it just helped me to become a more complete player. That's what I like, because I had the freedom to move and play in different positions.' After a third loan spell, it would be easy to think that Lokonga regrets his move to Arsenal - but the opposite is the case. The midfielder was just 21 when he joined the Gunners in 2021, leaving his childhood club Anderlecht as part of a deal worth around £15million. Lokonga was a regular during his first season at Arsenal, playing more than he or anyone back in Belgium expected, and he values those 12 months highly. 'At the end of the day, I did well and that was just part of the process,' he says. 'It is not everywhere you are going to go that you are going to succeed. 'When you arrive at a club like Arsenal, you don't have time to adapt. You need to be there directly and to perform. 'With Mikel [Arteta], I learned so much and, for me, he is one of the best coaches I have had in my career. It is how he is in the details, how he is predicting things that can happen on the pitch. He is a leader. 'Spending one year with him, it is like you maybe spend five years with someone else. You learn so much. So if I had to do it again, I would do it again.' Lokonga has similar feelings about his loan spell at Luton, where he spent the 2023-24 season. It was a move that caught many by surprise, but the midfielder was won over by Luton's manager back then Rob Edwards, after the pitch he gave at Lokonga's house. The pair are still contact today and regularly speak via voice notes on WhatsApp. 'I am just in love with him,' says Lokonga, smiling. 'I had one of the best times of my life in Luton, because of the manager, the group we had, the staff, the stadium and I think the fans we had were amazing. Luton is a club that will stay in my heart forever.' Lokonga is now hoping to make new memories and, crucially, put down roots somewhere. Not 26 until October, he still has plenty of years ahead of him and remains ambitious. 'I would like to go to a World Cup with my country, to compete and hopefully bring home a medal,' he says. 'I am 25 now and if I can have three or four trophies in my cabinet [during my career], that will not be too bad. 'I think if you look at my career, I moved for the first time to the UK to Arsenal, then I had a couple of clubs. I think it is time for me to settle and stay in a club, and to be there for a couple of years.'
Evening Standard
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Evening Standard
Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea LIVE: Premier League match stream, latest team news, lineups, TV, prediction
The equation for Chelsea is simple - win and they will be back in the Champions League. They have a Conference League final to come in midweek but the full focus will be on this match, with it crucial that the club return to the top tier of European competition for the first time since the 2022/23 season. Follow all the action with Standard Sport's LIVE blog below, featuring expert analysis from Malik Ouzia at the ground!
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chelsea vs Djurgarden LIVE: Conference League match stream, latest team news, lineups, TV, prediction
Chelsea vs Djurgarden - LIVE! Chelsea are expected to cruise into the Conference League final tonight as they host Djurgarden in the second leg of their semi-final tie. A 4-1 win a week ago in Sweden has the Blues in complete control of the tie, and only one of the biggest upsets in European football history will deny them a place in the final in Poland later this month. Enzo Maresca's side were further boosted on Sunday by an impressive win over champions Liverpool, leaving them fifth in the Premier League table and still hoping to secure a place in the Champions League next season. With a crucial trip to Newcastle to come this weekend, Maresca could opt to rotate his side tonight. Djurgarden scored a late consolation on home soil but that did little to change the picture of the tie. It has been a memorable run to this stage, having become the first Swedish side to reach the semi-finals of a European competition since 1987. Follow all the action with Standard Sport's LIVE blog below, featuring expert analysis from Dom Smith at the ground! Kick-off: 8pm BST | Stamford Bridge How to watch: TNT Sports Chelsea team news Djurgarden team news Standard Sport prediction 17:18 , Matt Verri Enzo Maresca will again make a number of changes to his team. Many of the players involved in the surprise win over Liverpool last weekend are likely to be rested, with Sunday's crucial trip to Newcastle in the top-five race a tougher test. Goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen has played in all but one of Chelsea's Conference League matches so far this season, so he will keep his place between the sticks. Further forward, Christopher Nkunku has regularly got the nod in Europe but is sidelined through injury, so academy star Tyrique George could again be trusted up front, just as he did last week in Sweden. Fellow forward Marc Guiu is very close to a return, but Maresca suggested that the Spaniard's involvement, if any, would likely be from the bench. Predicted Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; Acheampong, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Cucurella; Fernandez, James; Madueke, Dewsbury-Hall, Sancho; George 17:11 , Matt Verri TV channel: In the UK, the game will be broadcast on TNT Sports 3. Coverage starts at 7pm BST ahead of an 8pm kick-off. Live stream: Fans can catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website. Live blog: You can follow all the action right here, featuring expert analysis from Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge. 17:02 , Matt Verri Hello and welcome to Standard Sport's LIVE coverage of Chelsea vs Djurgarden! Will we get any drama tonight? Chelsea will be hoping not, as they come into the second leg of this Conference League tie with a 4-1 aggregate lead. Everything points to them cruising into the final. We'll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 8pm BST from Stamford Bridge.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bodo/Glimt vs Tottenham LIVE: Europa League match stream, latest team news, lineups, TV, prediction
Bodo/Glimt vs Tottenham LIVE! Tottenham are potentially 90 minutes away from keeping their season alive by reaching the Europa League final. Spurs take a 3-1 first leg lead into tonight's decider with Bodo/Glimt looking to complete the job and set up a showpiece fixture in13 days' time against either Manchester United or Athletic Club at the San Mames. Ange Postecoglou's side produced arguably their best performance of the campaign last week. Three up just after the hour mark thanks to goals from Brennan Johnson, James Maddison and Dominic Solanke, they effectively already had one foot in the final. However, Ulrik Saltnes' late strike has provided a different outlook to the tie with the Norwegians hopeful of completing a comeback to reach their first-ever European final. Bodo can perhaps take confidence from their impressive home form as well as their artificial pitch which could prove a leveller. As could the returns of several key players including captain Patrick Berg who was one of three to miss the first leg through suspension. Follow Bodo/Glimt vs Tottenham LIVE below, with expert analysis from Standard Sport's Dan Kilpatrick at the Aspmyra Stadion. Kick-off: 8pm BST | Aspmyra Stadion How to watch: TNT Sports Bodo/Glimt team news: Key trio available Tottenham team news: Maddison out Standard Sport Prediction: Spurs to progress 17:05 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on TNT Sports 2, with coverage starting at 7pm BST. Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website. Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport's live blog, with expert analysis from Dan Kilpatrick at the ground. 17:00 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne Hello and welcome to Standard Sport's LIVE coverage of Bodo/Glimt vs Tottenham! Can Spurs keep their season alive by reaching the Europa League final? Ange Postecoglou's side arrive in Norway with a 3-1 lead to defend from last week's semi-final first leg in north London and are favourites to complete the job. We'll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news right here ahead of kick-off, which comes at 8pm BST from the Aspmyra Stadion. Stick with us!
Evening Standard
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Evening Standard
Arsenal FC vs Bournemouth LIVE: Premier League match stream, latest team news, lineups, TV, prediction
In the reverse fixture earlier in the season, a 10-man Arsenal slumped to a 2-0 loss at the Vitality Stadium. Bournemouth have continued to catch the eye since and although their form has tailed off in recent weeks with just one league win in nine, they are in the race for a potential Conference League spot. Follow the game LIVE below with Standard Sport's dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Simon Collings at the Emirates Stadium!
