Former Arsenal star Kevin Campbell has urged young forward Folarin Balogun to seek out a loan move for regular first-team football.
The 20-year-old rose through the ranks of the Hale End Academy, making his debut for the club at the youth level in 2018. After numerous scintillating performances for the Under-18s and 23s, the youngster earned a call-up to the senior team in 2020 and since then, he has scored two goals in nine appearances.
The American started the season opener against Brentford and came off the bench against Chelsea in the following week. However, he has failed to start any games since and has gone back to play for the U-23s side.
Kevin Campbell thinks the striker should go out on loan to gain experience. He believes U-23 football is just too easy for him, and a loan move could be beneficial for both parties involved. Speaking on Football Insider, the ex-Arsenal player said:
“Balogun needs to go out on loan and get some football. Under-23s football is just too easy for him at the moment. He needs to go into the trenches. That is the only way he will learn about his game.”
” When you play against the defenders in the lower leagues, they have mortgages and families to look after. It’s serious. Whereas it is all hunky-dory in the Under-23s. I’m [sure] he will go out and get that experience next year. Then he will realize his standard.”
Arsenal Fever View:
Undoubtedly, Folarin Balogun is one of the most talented strikers at Arsenal currently. But, he lacks the experience to start week in and week out. He is down the strikers’ pecking order at the Emirates and without any European football this season, chances would be scarce for the academy graduate.
Alexandre Lacazette has entered the final year of his contract and is likely to leave the club at end of this season. However, the Gunners are likely to reinforce their attacking options by signing a new striker. This further diminishes the chances of Balogun breaking into the first team.
Therefore, it is only sensible if the north London club loan him out for the remainder of this season. A positive loan spell can work in favor of the youngster. He is still young with plenty of years ahead of him to prove his worth. Balogun is, certainly, a star in the making.
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