Report details why Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta is putting in extra effort with Folarin Balogun

According to Goal, Mikel Arteta is working really hard with Folarin Balogun in order to convince him to sign a new contract at Arsenal.

The striker was apparently told he was free to leave the club this summer, but a U-turn from Mikel Arteta has led to the Gunners making plans to offer him a new contract.

Unfortunately, getting him to sign said contract may be easier said than done.

Goal’s report states that clubs from abroad and in England are still interested in Balogun, but in order to keep him happy, Arteta has been making an extra effort to prove to him he is valued at the club.

The Spaniard has tried to convince the striker by playing him more in the first-team and allowing him to train with the senior squad more often.

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Balogun is expected to feature in Arsenal’s Europa League game on Thursday after being spotted boarding the plane with the team.

The report also states that Balogun has caught the eye in training, claiming that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been very impressed by what he’s seen from the youngster.

It’s no surprise to see that Arsenal are keen to keep a player who has caught the eye of one of the best strikers in the world.

Arteta’s efforts will hopefully pay off, but with clubs circling around Balogun, it remains to be seen whether or not he will have his head turned away from Arsenal.

Fingers crossed, Arteta’s efforts are enough as Arsenal may live to regret it if he does choose to leave the Gunners.

In other news, Report: Parma now lead Everton in race to sign Joshua Zirkzee