B. Dortmund
Paris SG
Former Arsenal captain William Gallas has revealed he believes Folarin Balogun “will get chances” at the Emirates and he “should” return to “show what he can do”.
Balogun’s career as an Arsenal player has seen him offered very little at the club thus far. Indeed, the 21-year-old academy product has played 10 times for the Gunners.
That he’s only 21 and there are big names such as Gabriel Jesus ahead of him means that makes sense.
Balogun has been able to show his quality away from the Emirates. He’s been on two loan spells, first to Middlesbrough last season and now to Reims this term.
He’s been in stellar form for the latter. Indeed, Balogun has netted 18 times in 30 Ligue 1 games this season – only three men have scored more.
Given he’s producing good displays away from Arsenal, the prospect of returning may not be in his thoughts. Recently, it was reported that .
While he seemingly wants to do so for the Gunners, he’s aware there are one or even two strikers ahead of him. What’s more, he is ‘opposed’ to another loan move, giving Mikel Arteta a decision over whether to play or sell him upon his return.
Former Gunners man Gallas has weighed in on the situation, suggesting Balogun won’t be the first choice, but that shouldn’t stop him from trying his hand back at the Emirates.
“I don’t think Balogun will start for Arsenal with Jesus at the club,” Gallas said.
“He’s only 21. You see some players who don’t understand what it takes to play for a club like Arsenal, what they can bring him.
“If he stays at Arsenal he will train with players better than at Reims. His football will improve.”
Indeed, Gallas is of the opinion that Balogun remaining an Arsenal player will provide him chances to show that he can be a starter down the line.
“I’m sure even if he’s a second choice he will get chances. It will be up to him to show what he can do,”
“If he doesn’t go back to Arsenal, maybe he will go on loan again. Look at [William] Saliba. He came back, and he’s performing.
“He has to be patient, and if he gets the chance to come back he should. He can show what he can do when he gets a chance.”
The prospect of another loan seems unlikely given Balogun is one of the most in-form forwards in Europe. As such, the likelihood of him sitting on the bench might also be slim.
However, given how effective he has been, there’s nothing to say he couldn’t rival Jesus for the starting spot at Arsenal.
If there’s another situation like this season where Jesus is injured, he might well have a free shot to impress, and could keep his place if he was to do so. While there are possibilities away from Arsenal, there’s also some good that could come from remaining.
