The January transfer window is approaching and Folarin Balogun heads a group of stars who should use the market as a chance to leave Arsenal on loan and impress Mikel Arteta.
Balogun has held a first-team role this term, yet chances to establish himself in their senior fold have been threadbare. Instead, the 20-year-old has continued to light up the academy scene, but he has outgrown that level and now needs to make the next step for his career.
Arteta faces a tough call over if or when Arsenal grant Balogun a loan transfer, however. He is also not the only player on the Spaniard’s fringes who needs regular minutes to develop.
Arsenal to grant Balogun January loan transfer?
Balogun has enjoyed another sensational season in Arsenal’s Under-23s under new boss Kevin Betsy this term. He has offered the Gunners’ development side a raft of goals and a leading figure. Yet his efforts at youth level have not carried over into the senior fold so far.
Arteta turned to the striker during August as Arsenal opened the campaign without Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang or Alexandre Lacazette. The pair tested positive for Covid-19, ruling them out of the north Londoners’ opening Premier League day defeat against Brentford.
But Balogun failed to seize his chance, as the Bees stifled Arsenal’s creativity and left the forward starved of service. Aubameyang and Lacazette then returning left Balogun out in the cold and relying on Betsy for minutes at youth level.
Reports by football.london note Arsenal have received a raft of calls from clubs looking to sign Balogun on loan. The Athletic have also reported the Gunners will grant a temporary transfer, but Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah’s uncertain futures could delay his departure.
Both Lacazette and Nketiah are out of contract at the end of the season and either leaving in January could open the door for Balogun’s big break. Arteta will also lose Aubameyang in January for the Africa Cup of Nations, to make Balogun’s situation even more fluid.
Hein should leave Emirates to stake claim as Ramsdale’s deputy
Karl Hein is another Arsenal prospect on Arteta’s fringes who can use the January window as their chance to impress. He joined the Gunners in 2018 and appeared to be on the cusp of his senior breakthrough last season.
Arteta drafted the goalkeeper into his plans as the third-choice option for a Europa League tie with Benfica in February. He failed to make his bow, but signed a new long-term contract in September on the back of his non-competitive debut during their pre-season.
Arsenal also invested in their goalkeeper department during the summer with the arrival of Aaron Ramsdale. The former Sheffield United shot-stopper has since become Arteta’s first-choice, thus raising doubt over Bernd Leno’s future in the capital.
Arteta has no intention of selling Leno in January, The Athletic have reported, so could look to loan Hein instead. A temporary move away from the Emirates would afford the 19-year-old a first chance to play regular first-team games and prove he can be Ramsdale’s deputy.
Martinelli to follow Maitland-Niles example and leave Arsenal in January loan
Gabriel Martinelli has spent much of the term as a spectator during Arsenal’s games ahead of the January transfer window. The Brazilian showed Arteta what he can offer in place of Bukayo Saka at Manchester United, but is far from being a first name on his teamsheet.
Instead, Martinelli finds Saka and Emile Smith Rowe are ahead of him for minutes on either wing. Aubameyang also continues to remain Arteta’s first-choice striker despite his form.
So, Martinelli could look to secure a loan transfer away from Arsenal in January and follow in Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ footsteps. The Englishman left north London on loan last January to prove himself and returned this season to a greater role.
Arteta never considered Maitland-Niles a leading figure or an option for his midfield core before a spell at West Brom. But he has since given the 24-year-old greater chances and set an example that Martinelli may now want to follow.
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