Arsenal will consider potential loan moves for Folarin Balogun during the January transfer window if Mikel Arteta continues to overlook the striker, according to football.london.
Balogun committed his long-term future to the Emirates Stadium outfit in April following a string of promising youth-level performances. But chances to make a name for himself in the first-team have proven rare, despite holding a senior squad role.
Arteta has only fielded Balogun for 18-minutes in all competitions since starting Arsenal’s opening day loss at Brentford in August. The England U21 forward has also not featured in any of the Spaniard’s Premier League squads since his 11-minute cameo against Chelsea.
Arteta likely also awarded Balogun his Premier League debut against Brentford as Arsenal were without Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette. The pair both tested positive for covid ahead of the curtain-raiser, but Balogun struggled to make an impact.
Balogun may have hoped for another chance under Arteta when Arsenal faced Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup. But the 20-year-old only played the final seven-minutes, with Arteta giving Lacazette a chance to lead the line instead.
Arsenal are yet to make a definitive call on Balogun’s immediate future, but may consider a loan transfer in January. The Gunners want the youngster playing regularly in the second half of the season if chances under Arteta are limited.
Should Arsenal accept Balogun loan transfer interest in January?
Balogun will be getting itchy feet the longer he watches as Arteta favours Arsenal’s more experienced options. The New York-born attacker is in great form with the Gunners’ U23s after scoring six goals in four PL2 appearances.
He has also offered one assist and captained Kevin Betsy’s side in their last three games. Picking up where he left off under Steve Bould last term, scoring nine and assisting three in 18 PL2 appearances. And delighting the Gunners fanbase at the same time.
Balogun impressed Arteta with his efforts in Arsenal’s academy and first-team last season to warrant his more recent chances. But, as minutes have proven almost non-existent since his surprise start against Brentford, a transfer will surely be on the cards.
“His progression and the use of the time that he’s had with us has been incredible,” Arteta told Arsenal.com in January. “He will keep having chances while he’s with us.”
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