The talents of Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun seemingly extend beyond the football pitch, after the striker claimed he could compete at the Olympic Games in table tennis.
Balogun is one of the Gunners hottest prospects, and is currently spending his 2022/23 season out on loan in France with Ligue 1 side Reims. The forward has enjoyed plenty of success during his time across the channel, scoring 17 league goals in 27 matches.
The 21-year-old is not only a star with the ball at his feet though and claims he has skills with a paddle which he believes could take him to the very top.
Speaking in an interview with Sky Sports, Balogun revealed his hidden talent, and believes his skills are of an Olympic standard. He said: "I am very, very good at ping pong. I mean we have one hear and honestly I think I could play at an Olympic level."
Admitting he is somewhat of a hustler, he added: "Honestly, I am that good. I have made a lot of money with a few bets, but yeah I am really, really good at ping pong." There is nothing like a bit of confidence, and who can blame the 21-year-old following his hot form on the pitch.
Only PSG star Kylian Mbappe has more goals than Balogun in Ligue 1, with the striker playing a key role in Reims' impressive campaign in France's top flight. Following his impressive first full season in senior football, the England under-21 international has his eyes set on making it at the Emirates.
Per The Sun, he said: "The more you achieve certain things, the more questions you face. Is it something I can do regularly or is it a fluke? So I’m pretty focused and determined to show people that this is not a blip and that scoring goals is something I can do consistently.
“A lot of people might forget that I’m still an Arsenal player but it’s still one of my dreams to play in their first team. Last summer I went on tour with the Arsenal first team to America and I didn’t get any playing time out there, so I was a bit frustrated.
“But I had to be realistic so I spoke with Mikel Arteta and he gave me a few options. Together we decided it would be best for me to come to France. “At the time I thought I was just another loan player coming to Reims to do a job, but after the reaction to my arrival I knew that it was quite a big deal."
