Big blow for Mikel Arteta as Arsenal midfielder out of Nurnberg friendly in pre-season injury blow
Arsenal will be without their up rising youngster Albert Sambi Lokonga for their pre-season training camp in Germany.
The Belgian midfielder has confirmed a muscle injury will keep him at home while a squad of first-teamers and academy hopefuls face Nurnberg in the Gunners’ first official friendly of the summer.
“Due to a muscular injury, I’ll sadly not be part of the summer camp with the team in Germany,” he posted on Instagram.
“I’m [focused] now on my recovery to prepare the season and be ready to help the team at my fullest capacity.”
Arsenal flew a 30-man squad out to Germany on Sunday after a behind-closed-doors draw with Watford.
Kai Havertz was among the players who featured in last month’s internationals to begin their pre-season on the weekend, with a view to playing in the friendly after the workouts at adidas’ headquarters in Herzogenaurach.
A decision will be made later this week on whether the new signing, plus the likes of Bukayo Saka, will feature against Nurnberg.
The squad then head off to the United States this coming weekend.
Lokonga has been linked with a move to Burnley and recently stated his desire to have guaranteed first-team football next season.
