Jonathan Woodgate has told Tottenham’s website that he is confident Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun is going to get “better” and “hit the heights” – as he previewed Tuesday’s clash between Spurs and Middlesbrough.
Balogun, 20, has started three of Middlesbrough’s last four Championship fixtures – coming off the bench at half-time in Saturday’s 3-2 loss to Barnsley. He could start against Arsenal’s bitter rivals Spurs on Tuesday.
The England Under-21 star is yet to open his account for loan side Boro – in what is his first temporary move away from Arsenal. He has, of course, scored two goals in 10 senior Gunners outings – and 37 in 62 for the 23’s.
Woodgate, an ex-Tottenham player with iconic status given his role in his old side’s last Cup win back in 2008, is excited by Balogun. The Arsenal man is of course, turning out for a club Woodgate both played for, and managed.
“The two forwards, Folarin Balogun, who they brought in on loan from Arsenal and Aaron Connolly, from Brighton, they will be really good, they’ll get better and start hitting the heights,” Woodgate told Tottenham’s website.
Woodgate on Balogun: Can striker make it at Arsenal?
What will benefit Balogun, is that come the summer, he will be the club’s only striker. Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette are both out of contract at the end of the season. Gabriel Martinelli is better on the left.
Arsenal are expected to invest heavily and sign a big-name striker, but even then, Balogun has a better run into the first team. Arsenal look good to qualify for Europe this season, and that hands Balogun more game time.
While he would have liked to have got a couple of goals for Boro since joining, Balogun certainly has the potential to make it at Arsenal. Scoring a goal against Tottenham on Tuesday night will certainly help his chances.
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