Anderlecht director Peter Verbeke says Arsenal made the 'right choice' signing Albert Sambi Lokonga.

The Gunners sealed an £18m transfer for the 21-year-old midfielder on Monday.

And Verbeke says Lokonga will bring a leadership presence to the north London club.

"Sambi is of course a very good player. He is one of the great talents of our academy. He knows how to play as a defensive midfielder, as a box-to-box, and has developed very well in his last two seasons at the club," said Verbeke to Sky Sports.

"He is good with the ball, his technique in small spaces is very good, with good short and long passing. He has always developed a little later than others and it is only last season that his physical development really manifested itself.

"It means he collects more balls, is better in duels and that is why I think he can play a role as a defensive midfielder for Arsenal in the years to come."