Arsenal icon Bacary Sagna is predicting Folarin Balogun to take a similar trajectory to William Saliba and one day shine for the Gunners.
Balogun is currently spending the season on loan at French Ligue 1 side Stade de Reims and has taken the league by storm with 15 goals in 22 matches. He is currently the top scorer in the entire division, one ahead of former Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette, and PSG trio Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.
Balogun progressed through the ranks of Arsenal's academy and has been regarded as one of the club's top talents for several years, though he was unable to show his best on loan at Middlesbrough last season. He will be hoping he can follow in the footsteps of Saliba, who had three separate loan spells in France before establishing himself as a crucial first team player this term following his £30 million move from Saint-Etienne in 2019.
READ MORE: Man City line-up vs Arsenal as £51.2m signing starts, Ake recalled and Grealish handed chance
Speaking to Premier League Odds, Sagna is confident Balogun will one day prove to be an 'excellent addition to the squad' and believes the fact he is performing to such a high level at a club not among France's elite speaks volumes.
"I believe Folarin Balogun will come back to Arsenal one day," said Sagna. "Look at how William Saliba turned out, he played at Marseille and was the best defender in the Ligue 1. Balogun is doing perfectly while not playing for the best team in that league, which shows how good his finishing is.
"Arsenal will be delighted to have him back, he can be an excellent addition to the squad. It's a blessing to have three young strikers and it's a good problem to have."
READ NEXT:
- Every word Mikel Arteta said on VAR, Gabriel Jesus recovery and Emile Smith Rowe fitness
- Premier League make referee demand following major Arsenal VAR blunder
- Gabriel Jesus, Smith Rowe, Nelson: Arsenal injury news and return dates ahead of Man City clash
- Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson recall scenario with Arsenal quartet to miss Man City clash
- Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium