Owen Hargreaves believes Arsenal have a talent in youngster Folarin Balogun.
The 19 year-old has picked up two goals and an assist from only 60 minutes of action this season, albeit with all those minutes coming in the Europa League.
One could argue that they had a favourable group draw, but that return isn’t to be frowned upon, and his performances have earned him a fan in Owen Hargreaves.
The former England international believes he is a talent who brings ‘something different’ to the side, and Arsenal’s results in the league at present have left a lot to be desired.
“He has got something, 100%, Hargreaves told BT Sport’s coverage of the Europa League (via HITC).
“Just the way he protects the ball, he brings his teammates into play, he makes quick decisions, doesn’t get caught in possession, sets it, he spins. Just think he is just one of those players who gives something different. He was really good to watch today.”
Balogun is currently the club’s fourth-choice striker, behind Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette, but the trio have struggled to find goals in the division of late, and that is a problem that Mikel Arteta will be keen to fix.
Should Balogun get the chance in the first-team while his rivals continue to struggle?
Patrick
Balogun shows traits of a good footballer. I feel he should get more minutes and be integrated into the PL. Seems better than Nketia IMO!
Agree with Ayan on qualities of Balogun but not on being better than Nketiah. I also believe he should get more playtime in Epl and these are players Arteta should turn to now that seniors are misfiring. I think those kids can save the club’s season but this should happen ASAP.
Trust me, he’s way better than Nketiah,, but the best news I’ve heard for years now is that the club are finally planning to sell Xhaka,,, YEEEAAHSSS at phuckin laaast, Artetta has woken up
I think we great crop of English or otherwise homegrown players to make up the team.
So far, Nketiah, Willock and Nelson IMO are good enough to be squad players.
Balogun, ESR both seem like they could be starters for us soon.
Then we have Saka who’s a starter. Martinelli too. AMN not too faraway. Bellerin is also a starter, as is Tierney and Gabriel (both young).
Mavropanos is doing really well at Stuttgart. Today he took 6 interceptions against Dortmund.
Guendouzi was MOTM today, scoring.
We just need to be careful with our youngsters, so theyI’ll get playing time so they don’t end up like another Malen, Gnabry etc.
👍 Nice one, McLovin…. and what a beauty MG’s goal was! Top bin!! 👌
Martinez is where Arteta got it all wrong… Check his saves today and how good he is on Ariel duels
Arsenal have been churning very good kids only to sell them later.Balogun is agood player. Sooner or later he has to start playing otherwise he will be off.
Play him or Nketiah against Burnley. Then we will know how good or poor he is.