Arsenal talent Folarin Balogun has lauded Alexandre Lacazette for his suggestion to move to Ligue 1 on loan, with the Hale End graduate currently becoming a superstar with Reims after signing for the French side on loan.
Speaking to Amazon Prime, the 21-year-old striker spoke highly of the former Arsenal captain during their time together in north London, with Lacazette leaving the Gunners this summer following the expiration of his contract, with the attacker also back in France with former club Olympique Lyonnais.
Whilst Lacazette’s experience in Ligue 1 will make the 31-year-old a success back with his boyhood club, it’s Balogun who is stealing headlines in France this season with Reims, with the youngster already scoring five goals and bagging two assists in just six league games.
Reims signed Balogun on loan for the season from Arsenal, and the decision to ship out the attacking prospect for the year in France has proven to be an incredible decision from the Premier League table-toppers, with the striker in the form of his life.
Indeed, the Arsenal academy graduate is developing into a fine striker, yet Balogun might not have even made the move to France at all had it not been for Lacazette, who came through the Ligue 1 system before being signed by the Gunners in 2017 for a reported £50m.
Balogun said: “He’s a great player. When he was at Arsenal he would always help me progress and improve, teaching me techniques and giving me advice. I remember speaking to Lacazette and he kept on telling me: ‘You need to go to Ligue 1, you will do well here’. Maybe he should become my agent as well because he has a great knowledge of football.”
Balogun has made a brilliant decision signing for Reims on loan
Balogun was always primed to leave Arsenal on loan this season, yet the decision to move to France and to Reims has proven to be a masterstroke of a decision, with the striker flourishing at a top-flight club and becoming a cult hero for a historic side.
With the success of William Saliba last season in Ligue 1, Balogun looks set to have a similar breakout year in France on loan, and the attacker could now return to Arsenal next year as a genuine contender to start up-front for Mikel Arteta’s side alongside Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah.
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