Folarin Balogun has been fantastic on loan at Stade de Reims. The Arsenal Academy star has been so good that we can’t go a week without mentioning him. While we celebrate and adore his successes in Ligue 1, most of Reims’ opponents regard him as a number one danger man.
The 21-year-old is giving Ligue 1 defenders a run for their money, to the point that teams must sit down and strategize how to deal with Balogun before facing the Reims team.
So this weekend, Lille visits Reims at Stade Auguste-Delaune in a Ligue 1 match. Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Lille’s coach, Paulo Fonseca, had a lot to say, and among the many things he discussed, he talked about the threat Balogun is, and his team’s plan to avoid him punishing them.
“Yes, we watched videos and worked on our defence,” he said as per 11 HDF.
“We know the movements of Balogun, who is a very good player.”
“I think we are ready to play against a striker like him.”
Although Balogun has not scored in his last three games, I am confident that his goal drought will end soon. A home game against Lille could be the ideal occasion for him to add to his 18 goals.
While Arsenal fans fantasise about buying in a new striker who other managers would caution their defence about, don’t you believe Balogun might be that striker?
Surely he has to be given an opportunity at Arsenal before we consider bringing in an expensive outsider?
Sam P
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In my opinion, Balogun’s stature, pace and playing style are too similar to Jesus’ and Nketiah’s. I don’t think he can receive long passes as Haaland does
When he started as a CF against Brentford in August 2021, his hold-up play was pretty bad. Maybe he has improved that aspect now, but it’d be better to sign a more dominant CF as a backup plan
Arsenal needs an attack bully, a massive center forward that spells trouble in the opposition box.
An out and out number nine highly technical with superior aerial prowess .
If Balogun has those traits then maybe he deserves a chance
Fingers crossed that he is given a chance. Arsenal have scored enough goals this season a target man striker is not a high priority for me. We need two dynamic midfielders and a wingback.
Balogun won’t accept being behind Jesus and Nkeitah, he has already made that view, we want players who will fight for their position, the French League is far weaker than the PL, but don’t accept less than 35 million with a sell-on for at least 40 million
exactly, if he does not sign a new contract then we may as well sell now.
Can’t just expect him to come into the first team and fill the void for a top-quality out-and-out CF right away. If he works his way up and takes his opportunities well (Like EG. ESR/Saka/Martinelli/etc always did). then he’ll get a chance. No way can he be seen as the CF solution for next season though without actually doing it in the Premier League first, at least to some extent.
Perhaps the summer friendlies will give MA the opportunity to assess him?
I do agree it would be foolish to let him go without seeing how his loan spell has worked out.
What do arsenal need a CF for?
We score in almost virtually every game. We need to invest heavily in defensive players and a competitor for saka…. It is defense that wills you titles not centre farwards, city has been more dominant in the past and that is even without haaland…
With haaland they still would have lost the title if arsenal were able to shut the defense down and not conceded silly goals
But the idea of giving Balogun a new contract and sending him out on loan, was to see if he was able to fulfill his potential and enable the club to, then, invest in this areas you have identified?
Absolutely right about our good forwards Gun Down, but we do need a killer central striker.
Too much hyperbole and fear about Haaland and their gang. At the end of the season if or when City win the title by literally 1 or 2 points, it will hurt us even more to know that we pissed it away.
Talk of the devil, they’ve just scored.
I agree with you. I just think we need more depth, i.e. Players who arteta trusts to rotate. Even now, it’s clear he says Nketiah as a last resort, for example. I think only trossard and jorginho have any chance of starting games when everyone else is fit.
Should’ve been tested this season and Eddie loaned or sold,that way we wouldn’t have a tough risky call to make. A bad oversight in my opinion.
Cannot agree with with that statement ,when called upon when Jesus got injured we played some of the best football this season ,Jesus as come back and we have started to look spineless ,I thought eddie played exceptional and I’m not a big fan of his style ,but no blame should be pointed to his direction ,he did his job better than Jesus as IMO
Nketiah is lower on the list of the 3, don’t understand why Balogun is seen as the 3rd choice.
French league weaker than PL for sure, but Balogun scoring goals. Compared to Nketiah who got benched on his loan in Championship.
Haven’t seen where Nketiah has pushed on or stepped up a level, compared to the growth we’ve seen in Balogun.
Sell Nketiah, give Balogun his chance in the preseason, then make the decision.
@ Durand
Many valid points.
But I see Nketiah and Balogan as finishers. more than Jesus who is the perfect backup for Saka or Martinelli and depending on the games as a striker as he is an all round player.
For me: Striker: Nketiah/ Balogan
Winger: Martinelli/Trossard and Saka/Jesus.
@ Durand . 100% agree
👍 Plus 1 Durand and Jim.
@ Durand @ Jim
I second your view… How wish Arteta can read this sites and see clearly how true this would have worked positively for him….
Sell that Nketia & man manage Balogun to unearth his strength
And while we’re about it, could we please dispel this ludicrous story I’ve been reading of these last few days about Arsenal wanting to buy Kane.
As if…
Jax, to think we had him when he was a chubby young lad. Liam Brady thought he wasn’t athletic enough. Kane would be too frightened of Lilywhites backlash to become a Gunner.
Do you think it’s ludicrous for technical reasons ?