Patrick Vieira reveals conversation with Arsenal sporting director Edu before swooping to make Lokonga Crystal Palace loan signing

Patrick Vieira has revealed he spoke with Arsenal sporting director Edu about Albert Sambi Lokonga before signing the midfielder on loan for Crystal Palace.

The Eagles brought the Belgian midfielder to Selhurst Park for the rest of the season on loan on deadline day.

Lokonga has made 15 appearances this season in all competitions under Mikel Arteta. But he has been kept out of the side in the Premier League since his brief substitute appearance in the 3-1 win over Spurs in October.

The 23-year-old has made 39 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal since signing from Anderlecht in a deal worth in the region of £17million.

Lokonga will be a part of Vieira’s squad for tomorrow’s trip to take on Manchester United.

“I spoke with Edu, not with Mikel [Arteta],” said the Palace boss.

“Edu really gave me the picture about the player on the field and off the field. 

“We know what kind of player we’re taking and which side of the game he needs to improve. He is a player who will help us.

“He was looking for a place where he could play, where he would have an opportunity to keep developing himself.

“Of course, coming to us, we have players in that position – nothing is guaranteed.

“But he has the ability to help us to be more competitive. That is a challenge as well [breaking into the side] that, as a player, he wanted to take.

“He won’t have any kind of guarantee because, in our world, there is no guarantee of being in the starting 11. To get involved, you have to show that you deserve to play. 

“We knew a lot about him when he was at Anderlecht as well – we had a couple of conversations with him. 

“It’s not the first conversation we have had with him. We built this relationship [from trying to sign him before], and he knows that we know him quite well. 

“With us, we can help him to grow as a player.”