As the 2021/22 season approaches the home straight, it is becoming clearer and clearer as to what the future holds for many of Arsenal's 23-man strong loan army with as many as three deals expected to go through when the summer transfer window opens.
The players in question are, of course, Matteo Guendouzi, Konstantinos Mavropanos and Lucas Torreira. It was revealed earlier in the month that the former pair are to join Marseille and Stuttgart respectively, whilst football.london reported last week that the Uruguay international is poised to seal a permanent switch to Fiorentina.
And with Harry Clarke's loan deal at Hibernian not expiring until the end of next season, coupled with the likely departures of Alex Runarsson, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Hector Bellerin and Pablo Mari, that leaves as many as 15 players whom Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu have to make a decision on ahead of the new campaign.
READ MORE: Arsenal make £80m summer transfer decision as Mikel Arteta and Edu eye signings
Of the 15, it's safe to say the one decision fans are eagerly awaiting is for William Saliba as his performances for Marseille - which have been rewarded with a France senior debut - proves he can be part of Arteta's first-team squad next season, although a final call on his future will be announced very soon.
With that said, it's not just the defender who has been catching the eye as Folarin Balogun served up a timely reminder of his talents by scoring for the England U21's in their 4-1 win over Andorra in a 2023 European Under-21 Championship qualifier on Friday night.
The goal and overall performance were the latest in an impressive run of games for the 20-year-old who has really begun to find his feet at Middlesbrough in recent weeks after joining on loan during the January transfer window. After failing to score in his first 11 games across all competitions for Chris Wilder's side - although he did weigh in with two assists - he's now got two goals in his last four outings and is poised to play a vital part in their Championship play-off push.
It's not just the goals and assists as Balogun has had to cope with the physical demands that comes with playing first-team football. "It's great for Flo," Wilder said following Boro's goalless draw against Millwall. "He got booted a couple of times early on, which I've got no issue with. It’s a physical, contact game and I thought his reaction was really good. It's an experience that won’t do him any harm at all."
If Balogun can finish the season strongly, it will leave Arteta and Edu with a big decision to make. Either the striker is integrated back into Arsenal's first-team squad or pre-season training proves another loan spell is beneficial for his development.
Should the former scenario play out then the Gunners' summer transfer plans could change drastically. As previously reported by football.london, as many as two centre-forwards are being targeted by Arteta and Edu ahead of next season, but that number could be halved if Balogun is handed a chance next season.
