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Footage: Arsenal fans will love what Folarin Balogun did to £43m Tottenham man last night

Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
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MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - MARCH 01: Middlesbrough's Folarin Balogun gets past Tottenham Hotspur's Dejan Kulusevski during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Middlesbrough and Tottenham Hotspur at Riverside Stadium on March 1, 2022 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Alex Dodd - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Photo by Alex Dodd – CameraSport via Getty Images

Last night, Arsenal fans watched their north London rivals Tottenham suffer an embarrassing defeat to Middlesbrough in the FA Cup.

Antonio Conte’s side conceded an extra-time winner to Josh Coburn, and now, Spurs have been knocked out of every competition this term.

That will, undoubtedly, leave Tottenham feeling embarrassed, although Cristian Romero experienced that feeling even before defeat was confirmed.

What’s the story?

Well, Arsenal had someone involved in defeating Tottenham.

20-year-old Folarin Balogun – who joined Middlesbrough on loan in January – was given 45 minutes against Spurs by Chris Wilder.

In that time, the youngster was a constant threat to Conte’s side, and he even pulled off a mesmeric skill which left Romero baffled.

As you can see above, Balogun impressively keeps the ball away from the £42.5m man with a ball roll, before he pulls off what appears to be a flip-flap to flick the ball around Romero.

BURNLEY, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 11: Folarin Balogun of England during the UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifier match between England U21s and Czech Republic U21s on November 11, 2021 in Burnley, United Kingdom. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images

The England Under-21 international even gets a cross in as well – had a teammate scored, it would’ve been one of the best assists in FA Cup history.

Arsenal must give Folarin Balogun a chance after embarrassing Tottenham

In our view, Mikel Arteta should give Balogun a chance in the first-team when he returns to the Emirates Stadium.

The New York-born wonderkid has been on fire this season, scoring 13 goals in 11 Premier League 2 appearances.

BARNSLEY, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 26: Middlesbrough's Folarin Balogun warms up before the Sky Bet Championship match between Barnsley and Middlesbrough at Oakwell Stadium on February 26, 2022 in Barnsley, England. (Photo by Alex Dodd - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Photo by Alex Dodd – CameraSport via Getty Images

Balogun is yet to score for Middlesbrough, although he has impressed in his eight Championship appearances so far, providing two assists.

With Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah out of contract in June, it’s time for Arsenal to trust Balogun with a place in the first-team.