Where does the future lie for Arsenal player Balogun?

Due to Arsenal’s unbridled title charge this season, it’s no coincidence that most of the attention has been on Arteta and his current players. Nevertheless, one loanee, in particular, has rapidly gained the spotlight away from North London.

The last two years have turned out to be challenging for Balogun, who has struggled to cement his place in Arsenal’s first-team squad despite signing a new four-year deal in 2021, potentially keeping him at the Emirates till 2025.

In the last few years, it had become clear that the 21-year-old was prepared to take the next step up from the academy level to the senior team. But, with players like Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah ahead of him in the pecking order, that would always be a challenging task at Arsenal.

Here’s more about the future of Folarin Balogun at the club and international levels.

Balogun’s Impressive Breakthrough

A highly sought-after move to the Championship side Middlesbrough in the 2021/22 season didn’t turn out as expected for Balogun, netting merely three goals in 21 appearances across the entire competition.

However, navigating through difficult moments strengthens you, and Balogun is a testament to this saying. The Hale End academy graduate needed some confidence boost and a club where he could feel at ease, a place where he could become the star player.

A loan out to a Ligue 1 side in France was considered risky by a few. It’s reasonable because only a few England-born players are willing to go down a similar route. Regardless, Arsenal and Balogun agreed on another loan move, with the player and the club putting all their faith in one last potentially career-changing decision.

Balogun currently sits fourth in the Ligue 1 top scorer chart with 15 goals in 25 appearances, behind only Kylian Mbappe, who has scored 17 times already this season, Wissam Ben Yedder and Jonathan David. In addition, his late goal against PSG at the French capital and his comeback-inspiring hat-trick against Lorient have managed to impress Thiery Henry and Arteta, with the latter expressing delight over Balogun’s breakthrough.

What’s Next at The Club Level?

When a player starts doing well, speculation over his future becomes a hot debate topic for football pundits and TV shows. Balogun’s breakthrough is no exception.

According to numerous reports, AC Milan, Marseille, and Villarreal are among the clubs interested in Balogun. While a homecoming to the Emirates followed by a grand reunion can’t be ruled out entirely, Folarin will find himself battling a fit Gabriel Jesus and a settling Eddie Nketiah for a starting spot in the Gunners’ squad.

If Balogun decides to stay at Arsenal, the squad will receive a much-needed welcome boost to its attacking options ahead of a highly likely return to Champions League football. Even so, such a move may not be tempting for Balogun due to the uncertainty around his game time.

On top of the vagueness regarding Balogun’s future club, the 21-year-old has yet to decide on his national team.

A Wide Array of National Team Options

Although Balogun plays in the English U21 team, he’s yet to receive a call-up to the Three Lions’ senior national team. As a result, the US Soccer Federation believes it still has a chance to tempt him to the USNMT as it did with his former Arsenal teammate, Yunus Musah. American fans are already writing open letters in order to convince Balogun to join them.

The USA-born striker has previously represented the country of his origin by playing for the US U18 team. He is also eligible to play for Nigeria because of his family roots.

While speaking to L’Equipe in October 2022, Balogun said he would consider all three countries for his international career.

It is important to note that football can be unpredictable, and careers can change at the snap of a finger. Hence, it remains to be seen how his footballing journey will progress in the long term.