Making his mark: Folarin Balogun has scored four goals in three starts for England’s Under-21 side
(Picture: The FA via Getty Images)Given his lack of experience, it is strange to think that come the summer Folarin Balogun could well be the only senior striker on Arsenal’s books.
Both Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah’s contracts are due to expire then and, with three months to go, neither player has agreed fresh terms.
Arsenal will of course address that issue, and signing at least one striker is a priority this summer, but it does create an opening for Balogun.
The 20-year-old was close to leaving a year ago as his own contract was running down, but he chose to stay after being convinced that opportunities would come.
“My ambitions for next season are to make an impact in the first team,” Balogun said after signing his new deal last April.
“I see it as something that I’ve taken upon myself to be able to go over there and make an impact, and not just be one of the numbers. I want to be somebody who eventually leads that group.”
Balogun was handed a chance on the opening day of the Premier League season, when a Covid-19 outbreak at Arsenal left them shorn of attackers.
The 20-year-old was charged with leading the line and it was very much a baptism of fire as he went up against Brentford’s three imposing centre-backs.
It was, however, also maybe a blessing in disguise. Before that, the hype around Balogun had been sky-high for a player yet to feature in the Premier League. Perhaps that is down to the social media age and the fact that goals from youth team games can go viral quicker than a slap from Will Smith.
Those youth-team clips showed Balogun’s talent and Arteta has described his potential as “huge”. Academy boss Per Mertesacker has been equally glowing.
“He has always been a fantastic goal threat, assist threat, and he has given defenders headaches,” said Mertesacker.
“When I imagine myself being a centre-half, I would always be anxious about his speed, about his technique.”
Balogun’s minutes were limited after that opening game against Brentford and it was agreed that he would go out on loan in January.
The youngster, like many others, had found himself in the difficult situation of being too good for under-23s football, but not quite ready for the Premier League.
“Watching him in the Under-23s for Arsenal, it’s probably a little bit too easy for him and he’s passed that level,” said England U21 boss Lee Carsley in November.
“He’s probably missed out on that little bit of senior football. You need testing.”
Plenty of clubs showed an interest in Balogun prior to January, but it was Middlesbrough who won the race. Their manager, Chris Wilder, had tried to sign the forward when he was in charge of Sheffield United and could now guarantee him minutes.
The move hasn’t been easy for Balogun, with Wilder describing it as a “culture shock”, but he has praised his “superb” attitude.
Balogun has clearly benefitted from being thrust into senior football and his development is now gathering pace after a slow start to the season.
“Playing in the Under-23s I could get away with things sometimes, but playing men’s football you need to play with your head a bit more and you need to know when to do certain things,” he said earlier this week.
“I’ve come in and had to adapt to it. It’s a good pressure to be around. It’s not something I shy away from.”
Balogun has two goals in his last four games for Middlesbrough, while he is also hitting his stride for England’s U21s. He scored twice against Albania on Tuesday to make it four goals in three starts.
Suddenly it feels like things are starting to click - a phrase Arteta loves using - for Balogun and the end of this season will be key.
There will be attacking spots up for grabs in Arsenal’s squad next year and Balogun needs to prove he deserves one.
