“This is why Arteta sold him…” Arteta is now vindicated after Folarin Balogun embarrasses himself on Monaco debut after Arsenal exit

Folarin Balogun embarrasses himself on Monaco debut after Arsenal exit
USMNT star Folarin Balogun’s Monaco career started off with a win but the striker also found himself in a spot of bother after going past RC Lens goalkeeper Brice Samba

Folarin Balogun embarrassed himself on his Monaco debut after being booked for diving

Folarin Balogun started off his Monaco career by being booked just four minutes into his debut for diving – despite the French team winning comfortably at the time.

The USMNT, 22, was signed by Monaco from Arsenal last month for £25.8million ($32m) plus £7.9m ($10m) in add-ons. Monaco hope the striker can replicate the form that he showed in Ligue 1 last season when he netted 21 times in 37 league appearances for Reims.

Balogun was introduced in the 74th minute against RC Lens with Monaco cruising toward a 3-0 victory. Wilfried Singo opened the scoring in the 24th minute followed by an Aleksandr Golovin strike just before half-time. Defender Guillermo Maripan then put the game out of sight in the 59th minute, shortly before Balogun’s substitution.

But Balogun’s debut didn’t go to plan, with the striker being booked just four minutes into his Monaco debut for diving. Balogun wanted a penalty after rounding goalkeeper Brice Samba before going down under minimal contact, forcing the referee to caution him.

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Balogun also missed a good opportunity to open his Monaco account, firing into the side netting after making a good initial run. The decision to leave Arsenal was a tough one and Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has admitted that the North London club simply didn’t have the space for the striker.

Kai Havertz, Eddie Nketiah, and Gabriel Jesus are all preferred options to lead the line for Arsenal, with a potential second consecutive title race with Manchester City on the cards. We didn’t have space for him in the squad to give him the minutes that he needs,” Arteta said at his pre-Manchester United press conference.

“He was doing well last year in his loan period. He’s evolving the right way and wanted the chance to continue developing his career. He’s going to a really good club that has huge experience of developing talent, as everybody knows. So I’m really happy for him as well.”

Brice Samba confronted Balogun for diving to try and win Monaco a penalty ( Image: Getty)

Folarin Balogun was booked for diving following his $42.5m transfer ( Image: Getty)
And should Balogun fulfil his potential, Arsenal have inserted a whopping 17.5 percent sell-on clause in his Monaco transfer. Having already been sold for a potential future total of $42.5m, a big-money move later on in his career could see the Gunners pocket north of eight figures.

“With a heavy heart, I say goodbye to my boyhood club,” Balogun wrote in a farewell message on Instagram. “I was 8-years-old when I first came to Hale End and every academy player walks through the gates and dreams of making their debut for the first team. I was lucky enough to fulfil that dream. There were so many people in the club who supported me and played a major role in my development on and off the pitch.

“My teammates, the coaches, the staff – thank you to all of you and I’m grateful for the times we shared. It’s time for a new challenge and one that I’m excited for. Thank you Arsenal Football Club. It was an honour to wear the badge.”