Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun has revealed his frustrations in pre-season, along with a conversation with Mikel Arteta, contributed to his decision to join Stade de Reims on loan for the 2022/23 campaign. The Hale End star was involved in Arteta's squad for the pre-season tour of America but he did not make an appearance before moving to France.
Balogun has scored 17 goals in 28 appearances this season for Stade de Reims - only Kylian Mbappe and Jonathan David have scored more in Ligue 1. His displays for Will Still's side have provided food for thought for Arteta and Arsenal ahead of his return to north London at the end of the season.
The Gunners currently have Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah as options in attack, but it's expected Balogun will demand first-team football after proving his worth in Europe. Arteta has already hinted at the plan for the Hale End graduate ahead of next season but it remains to be seen whether he will leave the Emirates Stadium permanently or not.
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The 21-year-old striker has relished the opportunity to show his ability in France, something he felt he would not have been able to do following a frustrating pre-season tour with Arsenal last summer. Balogun told Arsenal’s official website: "Last summer, I went on tour with the first team to America and I didn't get any playing time out there, so I was a bit frustrated.
"It's one of my dreams to just play in the first-team. I had to be realistic at the same time.
"I spoke to Mikel and he gave me a few options. And together, we decided it'd be best for me to come to France."
Balogun has revealed that his time in Ligue 1 has been a real test of his ability but he continues to shine for Reims and is one of the top goalscorers in Ligue 1. Speaking to Onze Mondial, the New-York born striker said: “Ligue 1 is really very difficult - I am very shocked when I hear people saying that the league is easy.
"I don’t understand why this league isn’t sometimes respected like it should be, especially on the internet. As a Ligue 1 player, I can say that it’s a very, very difficult division.
"There are lots of good, aggressive teams, and that’s without saying that the best players in the world are currently playing in this league, and despite that, they don’t win all of their matches.” Balogun has been linked with a move away from north London in recent times considering Arsenal have a plethora of options upfront, with the likes of Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah all utilised as Arteta's starting centre-forward at various stages of the season.
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