Martin Keown says Mikel Arteta doesn’t quite believe in the £18m Arsenal man he’s ‘not ready’

Martin Keown said Stadium Astro that he doesn’t think Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga is ‘ready’ yet. Mo Elneny was selected ahead of summer signing to face Chelsea on Wednesday night, a 4-2 win.

Lokonga, 22, was benched again on Wednesday night after replacing the injured Thomas Partey in the defeats to Brighton and Southampton. The 18 million pounds (Goal) signing has yet to prove his transfer fee.

In his absence, Elneny Granit Xhaka backed behind Martin Odegaard and it worked for Arsenal – who ended up beating Chelsea 4-2. A brilliant performance that saw Eddie Nketiah grab a brace.

Arsenal legend Keown discussed the inclusion of Elneny in the starting XI and clarified that Lokonga had missed his chance. He believes Elneny is the better option and hasn’t let Arteta down.

“It was the right decision to bring Elneny into the team. Lokonga looks like he’s not quite ready yet. They have a number of players, Guendouzi and Torreira are on loan. Elneny was kept here for a reason.

“Obviously Arteta doesn’t fully believe in him [Lokonga]. Lokonga didn’t take the opportunity and Arteta returned to Elneny. I don’t think he ever let Arteta down,” Keown told Stadium Astro on Wednesday night.

Keown on Lokonga: Arsenal star may need to go on loan in summer

He’s poor since Arsenal made the somewhat surprising decision to sign him from Anderlecht. Normally, a club Arsenal’s size would keep an eye on him – and be more likely to have him signed by a Premier League midfielder.

Then sign him from a Leicester or a Brighton, knowing he’s proven himself in the Premier League – albeit for more money. Arsenal took a risk with Lokonga, missed the middleman and so far it hasn’t worked. A loan might help.

In other news, Bruno Guimaraes admits he’s “always talking to Newcastle’s £58m target” and would love to join him