Arsenal’s Sambi Lokonga counting on unshakeable faith and values to build bond with fans

Arsenal’s Belgium midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga is hoping that his values as a human being and his football will build a strong bond between him and the Gunners.

Lokonga was born in Brussels and by the age of 10 was already at Anderlecht and spent his formative years playing in the junior teams of the club.

Through hard work and determination he was named club captain aged just 21, and spent his last few months there talking to Manchester City legend Vincent Kompany about Arsenal fans and English football in general.

After a rocky start to the season at the Emirates, where the Gunners were bottom at one point, they have picked up and are currently unbeaten in their last eight outings.

The strong form has aided Lokonga’s adaptation to the Premier League and he now wants to strike a bond with the fans.

"I hope they will like my style of play," he said.

"I know fans will either love me or not love me, but I hope most fans will love me because the most important thing to me is to carry the right values of being a human being and my faith.

“That’s what I want to do here and create.

"I had a very strong connection with the Anderlecht fans," he continued.

"I think I was popular because I grew up there.

“I knew everyone at the club and had been captain. They knew me very well.

“So it would be great to have that again at Arsenal.

"I’ve already met a few Arsenal fans when I’ve been out, shopping or something like that.

“A few fans have recognised me and asked for a picture. They’ve been very friendly.

“They say they are happy to have me at the club and are telling me to push for the team, to do something special this year.”

After arriving from Anderlecht with huge expectations, the 22-year-old has played in nine league games and is a growing influence in team meetings and squad bonding.

He has now turned his attention to scoring his first goal for the club, as he knows the longer the wait the harder it becomes.

"For my first goal for Anderlecht I slid on my knees,” he said.

“That’s the best one for me but I don’t know what I’ll do when I score for Arsenal yet because it depends.

“Sometimes you get emotional, sometimes you plan something, but then I’ll probably have to make it up if it’s a last-minute winner."