Arsenal need signings who “shake dressing room” after Lokonga joins

Arsenal have been told they need to make signings that really shake up the dressing room as they close in on Albert Sambi Lokonga.

That is the view from former Gunners midfielder Emmanuel Petit, who believes his old club need much more in the summer.

Mikel Arteta is looking to spruce up his squad after a disappointing season in the Premier League.

The Emirates outfit finished eighth in the table and will not be playing in Europe next year but the Gunners coach believes they can use this summer as a chance to clear out the deadwood and start again.

And that includes bringing in a number of players, with Lokonga the first of several that have been mooted to join.

A deal worth €17.5m has been agreed with Anderlecht over the signing of the Belgian midfielder.

But Petit reckons Arsenal need much more, telling Paddy Power: “Albert Sambi Lokonga is young and talented, with a bright future.

"We have seen so many young players come in at Arsenal, and of course you need that for the future, but what Arsenal need is players with character and a big personality. That is something Arsenal have been missing for ages.

“Arsenal need players who hate to lose games, players who ‘shake the tree’ in the dressing room, who can say things there, who can show fight.

"They need leaders. They need someone to show the way, to be responsible. I’d urge Arsenal to do that.

“A lot of players bring talent, but on top of that, they bring character and personality – and this is something I want to see back at Arsenal.

"They need players who can take responsibility on and off the pitch, who can show the rest of the team, ‘This is the way we want to go, and we are all going together’. It’s so important, and I haven’t seen that quality at Arsenal for years.

“Players like Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have shown some of those qualities but they’re young and inexperienced, it shouldn’t be their responsibility to take care of the team.

"They need the protection of other players and to improve year after year and to become the leaders of the team.

"But for the moment it’s too soon for them, they need experienced players around them.

“It doesn't matter how many quality players you have, if you don't create unity, and put spirit and soul into the team, you will never win anything. It's impossible.”

Emmanuel Petit is a EURO 2020 ambassador for Paddy Power, who is encouraging punters to change bookmaker as part of its ‘Switch for Better’ campaign. Switching to Paddy will secure free £5 Bet Builders on selected games throughout the tournament. For more details, visit the Paddy Power website. If the grass looks greener, go and play on it!


Source: Read Full Article