Crystal Palace loanee Lokonga: I'm already improving under Vieira

Football
25 Feb 2023 • 11:12 PM MYT
Tribal Football
Tribal Football

Tribal Football covers news from the Premier League, LaLiga and Serie A

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Crystal Palace loanee Albert Sambi Lokonga feels he's already improving his game under manager Patrick Vieira.

The 23-year-old Arsenal midfielder joined Palace on loan until the end of the season last month, and has since made three Premier League appearances, including his first start in the 1-1 draw against Brentford last weekend.

As his side prepare to face Liverpool at Selhurst Park on Saturday a seventh consecutive Premier League game against a top-half side Lokonga praised the influence he believes Vieira is having on his all-round game.

The midfielder told Palace's website: He had a big influence [on my decision to join Palace] because he played for Arsenal and he knows the Premier League very well.

I think playing under him is a good step for me. I can learn a lot from him and from his aggression [on the pitch] that I miss sometimes in my game. The way he is close to the play, I think it's helpful to progress.

This kind of manager like Vieira, they keep working, they're always busy thinking about football, so the result is not a surprise.

I think they look to create freedom on the pitch and this is something you can see quickly. That's the main thing about [Arsenal manager Mikel] Arteta and Patrick Vieira."