Sport nation‘It was out of my hands’ – Folarin Balogun speaks out on Arsenal exit and Mikel Arteta relationship
Folarin Balogun has suggested that the decision to leave Arsenal was not entirely down to himself or Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal news, exclusives and analysis
The young striker’s future was the subject of much speculation over the summer following a terrific campaign on loan at Reims, where he scored 21 goals in 37 Ligue 1 appearances.
But despite this form, it became apparent that he couldn’t be guaranteed first-team football at the Emirates and as such he was linked with a move away, with Chelsea, West Ham and Inter Milan among many clubs keen to sign him.
Eventually, the 22-year-old returned to France via Monaco in a deal worth €40million (£34.4m), and he has made a fine start for his new club, with three goals in his first five games.
Balogun has now opened up about the transfer saga, telling ESPN: ‘It wasn’t something that made me feel anxious, it was just more a case of seeing what wanted to be done.
‘It was out of my hands, that’s how I felt. It wasn’t something I could control.
‘The only thing I could do was just turn up to train and work hard. So I did that. And then after training, I enjoyed being back in London. I saw my friends, caught up with my family.’
- FC Nürnberg v Arsenal FC: Pre-Season Friendly
Balogun featured for Arsenal during pre-season (Photo: Getty)
Though a talented player, Arsenal already have Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah as their strikers, and needed to raise funds to offset their over £200m summer spending spree, so it is understandable why they chose to cash-in on Balogun.
Upon his departure, Arteta confirmed as much, saying: ‘We didn’t have space for him now in the squad to give him the minutes that he needs.
But the USA international has also revealed what Arteta told him upon his return from Reims, and it suggests that his sale was also not entirely down to the manager.
Ian Wright suggests Kai Havertz should replace struggling Arsenal star
zone post image for post 19648680
Roy Keane pinpoints the signing Arsenal need to win Premier League ahead of Man City
zone post image for post 19635652
Kyle Walker angered by ‘hypocrite’ Arsenal coach after Man City defeat
‘He didn’t really say much, when I came back he just said well done, and he encouraged me to keep going,’ Balogun added.
‘Then me coming back in a pre-season, it was just more about me seeing whether I fit into his plans and seeing if I can continue to play some games.
‘He said that he would try to get me involved as best as he could, but of course he also told me that the people higher up were making decisions on me and seeing what would be best for me. So the conversations between me and him were good, but it was more about the club, what they wanted to do.’
Sport nation
Amina Umar
