Ian Wright has said on ITV (7:30pm, February 4, 2022) that he is pleased to see Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun on loan at Middlesbrough at the moment.
The Arsenal legend has praised Balogun for what he did for the Gunners’ Under-23 side.
The ITV Sport and BBC Sport pundit believes that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was right to send the 20-year-old striker out on loan to Middlesbrough in the Championship in the January transfer window.
Wright made the comments about Balogun in the build-up to the FA Cup tie between Manchester United and Middlesbrough at Old Trafford on Friday evening.
Chris Wilder’s side won the tie on penalties.
Balogun started the match for Boro.
Wright said about Balogun on ITV (7:30pm, February 4, 2022), as transcribed by Football.London: “Fantastic opportunity for him. He’s done unbelievable stuff for the U23s.
“The U23s is a league that’s not for him, he’s too good for it. But at the same time we’ve seen him break into the first team but it’s not quite happened for him.
“We saw him at Brentford and a couple games past him by but now, for him to get to a place like Middlesbrough under a manager like Chris Wilder, he’s learning, he’s got to learn, got to learn quicker the game’s a lot faster.
“That’s what people don’t understand, the U23s is not real in respect to what these guys have go to learn to get to the next level, so he needed to get out on loan.
“I’m pleased to see him out on loan and he’s at a place and playing in a competition where we can see what he’s capable of and now it’s up to him to bring it in a game like this.”
Folarin Balogun could be a star for Arsenal
In our view, Balogun could be a star for Arsenal in the coming years.
Yes, the youngster could not do much of note in the Premier League this season when he got the chance.
However, we have seen the goals and the performances of Balogun in training and for the Arsenal Under-23 side.
Moreover, Balogun scored two goals and gave one assist in five substitute appearances in the Europa League for Arsenal last season.
Middlesbrough are a big club with a passionate following, and under Wilder, they are chasing promotion to the Premier League this season.
Balogun can only learn from his experience at the Riverside Stadium, and that could help him prepare for Arsenal for next season and beyond.
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