Albert Sambi Lokonga has vented his frustration over his situation with Belgium’s national team (Shutterstock)
Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga admits he was ‘disgusted’ with Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez over his lack of playing time with the national side.
The 22-year-old’s hopes of being part of Belgium’s World Cup campaign look bleak as he was left out of their last squad during the international break in September.
Lokonga was called up for Belgium’s World Cup qualifiers last November and then again for friendlies against Republic of Ireland and Burkina Faso in March this year, but he did not play a single minute and was left on the bench.
And the midfielder has revealed that he contemplated making himself unavailable for international duty because of his anger towards Martinez.
‘I called him the day after the international match in March. I was really pissed off. I thought for a moment that I didn’t even want to play for the national team anymore. I was disgusted,’ Lokonga told La Derniere Heure.
‘Martinez said he preferred players who are playing regularly at their club. He was also not completely satisfied with my training. I don’t think he can portray me as a bad boy who doesn’t work hard. It would be too easy to put up such a picture of me. He can’t use something like that to justify why I don’t get to play.
Albert Sambi Lokonga Albert says he was ‘disgusted’ with Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez (Getty)
‘If I’m already on the bench while De Bruyne, Hazard and the other stars are not there, then I don’t stand a chance if they are in the selection.
‘Maybe Martinez doesn’t believe in my qualities or he doesn’t like my style. But I’d rather he communicate that clearly. I would have accepted his decision without hesitation.’
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Lokonga also admits his own situation at Arsenal is ‘difficult’ as he has started just two of Arsenal’s 10 Premier League games this season.
And the midfielder says he ‘nearly snapped’ towards the end of last season as he was frustrated with his lack of playing time under Mikel Arteta.
‘Honestly, it’s difficult. I’m at one of the best clubs in England. I could have played somewhere else every weekend, but that wouldn’t have been the right solution for me,’ said Lokonga.
Albert Sambi Lokonga admits he has been frustrated with his lack of playing time at Arsenal (Shutterstock)
‘I develop better with 20 minutes of playing time at Arsenal than always playing elsewhere but always winning with 3-0 or 4-0.
‘It’s a personal decision [to stay at Arsenal]. I wanted to give myself another year to stay at Arsenal and then see what happens.
‘I think I have the qualities to succeed here. Last season, I didn’t perform at my best level. I still have things to prove.
‘At the end of last season, I almost snapped. I called my agent to ask him if staying at Arsenal was a good idea. He comforted me in my choice, even though I know I need to start more often to develop.’
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‘I was really pissed off. I was disgusted.’
