Kevin Campbell told the Highbury Squad that Folarin Balogun should have left Arsenal on loan because he should be ‘learning his trade’.
The 20-year-old started Arsenal’s opening day Premier League defeat to Brentford, with more senior stars suffering from COVID issues, but the speedster wasn’t able to pounce on that chance.
This time last season, Balogun was having contract issues with the club and there was the possibility that he might not sign on the dotted line, at all.
But in the end, he did put pen-to-paper and he committed his long-term future to his boyhood club.
However, given that the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette are ahead of Balogun, it was suggested by Campbell that he shouldn’t have stayed at the club this summer.
“If the club are going down the youth direction then Balogun should be out on loan,” said Campbell. “Realistically, you are talking about 18 months to two years to really bed all of them down.
“So, he should be learning his trade. By the time two years come, he’s had all the buffeting, all the time and all the bruises. Then he is ready and he can hold his own.
“But if he just plays under-23’s football and sparingly is on the bench then he’s not learning his trade. We need him to be going 90 minutes, week in and week out.”
There were several Hale-End stars that were being touted to move this summer.
Some got their wish, like Reiss Nelson, but others like Ainsley Maitland-Niles stayed put despite drama leading up to deadline day.
Eddie Nketiah, another striker, also stayed at the club and now it’s going to be interesting to see how they are used.
Balogun might find himself behind two or even three players, so it does raise the question as to why he didn’t move.
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