With Aubameyang away at AFCON, Arsenal’s choice of strikers in January is going to be reduced again, as it has been revealed by Fabrizio Romano that Folarin Balogun is travelling up to Middlesbrough today for his medical ahead of his expected loan move to the Championship side that are very close to the play-off places at the moment.
Folarin Balogun joins Middlesbrough on loan from Arsenal, done deal. Balogun will undergo his medical tomorrow and then will be announced as new Boro player. 🔴 #AFC
Arsenal have accepted also final details and clauses. Talks started five days ago and now completed. 🤝 #Boro pic.twitter.com/Z7H9kZpBS2
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 10, 2022
It seems that this deal should have been done as soon as the window opened, but it has been delayed after Balogun tested positive for coronavirus, but hopefully he should now pass his medical at Boro after coming out of isolation.
We all know that Balogun has shown amazing talent in the U23 side, like Nketiah before him, and has been scoring goals for fun, but he has looked like a rabbit in the headlights when given chances at the senior level.
This is now the time for him to prove he can handle the rough and tumble of the Championship and prove that he has what it takes to become a top striker for Arsenal and save Arteta the need to buy another striker in the summer.
Middlesbrough are also keen for the youngster to help them get promotion to the Premier League, so this is going to be a very big test for Balogun. We all hope that he comes out with flying colours and fulfils his promise at last…
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This makes sense. Even given his pretty dismal performance on Sunday, I think Nketiah is a better second or third option for the rest of Arsenal’s season. He hasn’t done himself any favours with some of the sitters he has missed in recent games but playing for a contract can focus the mind.
That hunger goes out the window if he agrees a pre contract this window – one reason why I don’t think these should be allowed before the end of the season
Hi, the arsenal team jersey is soo not arsenal ,I mean that all white against Notts
An association with Middlesbrough may come in very handy if we are interested in their very talented RB, Spence who is currently on loan to Notts Forest as we know to our cost.Not only would be be tremendous back up for Tomi, but he could fit in seemlessly as a RWB should we have occasion to switch to a back three set up.Tomi is very adept as a CB where he featured at times for Genoa and Japan.
Just play Martenelli up front and use smithe Rowe wide with Saka on the other side and let’s do this until we get an all out striker that’s young and hungry