Arsenal wonderkid is trying to learn from Ashley Cole, manager hints January decision needed

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Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun looks to have a big future ahead of him, but he may need to leave the Gunners on loan.

Balogun, 20, has been in ridiculous form down in Premier League 2. In eight appearances this season, he has racked up 10 goals and two assists.

Quite frankly, Balogun is too good for Premier League 2 but maybe not quite good enough for Arsenal’s first team.

The American-born striker finds himself in a tricky spot right now, as playing against Premier League 2 won’t be aiding his development.

Balogun did get a start against Brentford on the opening day of the Premier League season, but has only featured once since.

Carsley praises Balogun, but hints at Arsenal loan exit

Many Arsenal players have been in this position before and the only real answer is to go out on loan.

Balogun would surely attract interest from every Championship club if he became available for loan, maybe even some Premier League teams.

Balogun may not be playing for Arsenal, but he’s in the England Under-21 setup under Lee Carsley.

Carsley, a former teammate of Mikel Arteta at Everton, has now offered his view.

As quoted by Football.London, Carsley has suggested that Balogun needs testing and that isn’t happening right now.

Carsley hinted that a loan move is what Balogun needs, believing European clubs may want him.

Carsley added that Balogun is looking to learn from ex-Arsenal ace and current England Under-21 coach Ashley Cole, picking his brain on how to get at defenders.

“You need testing,” said Carsley. “Watching him in the Under 23s for Arsenal, it’s probably a little bit too easy for him and he’s passed that level. I imagine he wants to play for Arsenal and pushing for a position but it’s such a big club with a lot of competition. They’ll have a career path for him and a way to break through because he’s got all the attributes.”

“He’s level-headed, wants to work hard, asks really good questions. He wants information. He’s picking Ashley [Cole] and Joleon [Lescott]’s brains on defenders. I think it would be fair to say that a lot of the clubs in Europe would be aware of Flo’s qualities and if anything he has just got to keep proving it to himself. He is the only person he’s got to impress and look himself in the mirror. He’s got outstanding ability, attributes and workrate and he is a player that people look forward to seeing,” he added.