‘A waste’: Campbell claims Arsenal player shouldn’t be at the club right now

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Kevin Campbell has made it clear that Folarin Balogun shouldn’t be at Arsenal right now and instead out on loan, as he told the Highbury Squad.

The former Highbury hero stated that if it was up to him then he would have ‘loaned him out at the start of the season’ because him playing for the U23’s is a ‘waste’.

Balogun has only made two Premier League appearances this season and both of them came on the opening weekends of the campaign.

The 20-year-old started the opening game against Brentford and then an appearance from the bench against Chelsea – both ended in defeats.

But given that he hasn’t been featured since in the league, it’s pretty clear he was only picked at the time because of COVID issues and injuries to players.

The writing is on the wall for the Hale-End star to leave when the transfer window re-opens next month, but Campbell made it clear that it’s a decision that should have been made in the summer.

“I have said it all along that Balogun needs to learn his trade,” said Campbell. “Under 23’s football is too easy for him.

“We saw what we saw on the first game of the season, which is no fault of his, by the way. It was obviously COVID and all that kind of thing. He got chucked in, so it was a good sample size for us to see how he did.

“He moves well and we know he’s quick. But it’s the experience of know-how. How to move against a Premiership defender. It’s totally different to under-23’s.

“I would have loaned him out at the start of the season. Looking then to bring him back in January if he done well. All this time in the U23’s is a waste, he ripped it up last season, we know he’s good at that level.”

The forwards ahead of Balogun right now are Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah.

All three have their issues and remarkably could be out of the club’s doors next summer.

Aubameyang hasn’t been the same since he signed a new contract, and as a captain, he keeps getting subbed or dropped by Mikel Arteta.

Then there is Lacazette, who under every manager he has played for in north London, is always subbed off early or the one who makes way when changes need to be made after a defeat.

Then there is Nketiah, who just like Lacazette, has a contract at the club that will expire next summer and it doesn’t look like he will be penning down a new one any time soon.