Folarin Balogun has dropped a huge hint that he sees his long-term future as being at Arsenal as he continues to star on loan at Stade de Reims.
He moved to the Ligue 1 side on a season-long deal in the summer transfer window, having spent the second-half of last year on loan at Middlesbrough. His time on Teesside was not a shining success, as he scored just three goals in 20 appearances.
But he appears to be a man transformed in France, where he sits fifth in the scoring charts after 11 games. His six goals have helped Reims steer clear of the relegation zone for the time being and it is easy to see the French side looking to bring him back permanently.
While Les Rouges et Blancs may want him to remain at Stade Auguste-Delaune though, Balogun himself has his sights set on a return to the Gunners. Balogun has long been tipped as a future star for Arsenal and he appears happy to return to the Emirates.
“Arsenal is my family! For me, the club represents brotherhood and unity. There, I learned always to push my limits. I remember from training the permanent desire to progress on a technical level," Balogun told L'Equipe.
"For example, we had to control the ball for 45 minutes without letting it touch the ground. I even practiced that this morning [Thursday] in training. Thierry Henry, the legend, who sometimes coached us.
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"[He] taught us that technical quality was the basis for everything. The more [quality] we have, the more time we have to decide what to do with the ball and see things before others.”
Last month, Balogun had revealed that Gunners boss Mikel Arteta had encouraged him to 'become a man' during his spell in France. He was handed a lucrative contract in April 2021 and insisted that his move abroad has helped him to follow Arteta's advice.
“Before I moved, Mikel said he wanted me to develop as a man. It was kind of like an open answer and for me to interpret what me meant by develop as a man. But by moving abroad, I’m starting to learn what he meant," he said.
"It doesn’t just mean on the pitch but also off the pitch. I think by the time I go back I’ll be in a better place to compete than I was before I left. I realised there were certain things I would struggle with but I think that’s a good thing.
“It helps you to manage stuff you’re uncomfortable with which is important. It is still early but definitely if I am around those sorts of names at the end of the season I would be really happy with myself.”
Balogun played all 90 minutes on Saturday as Reims held Lorient to a goal-less draw despite going down to nine men. He will hope to retain his place in the starting line-up when his side host Auxerre a week on Sunday.
