15 goals in 21 games: Arsenal already have a ready-made star for next season – Club owner really wants him back next season
Arsenal already have a ready-made star for next season in Folarin Balogun amid his exceptional run of form for Reims in the French top-flight.
The Gunners graduate spent the second half of last season on loan with Middlesbrough. His stint was hardly impressive with just three goals from 20 appearances.
There were no surprises that the Gunners decided to loan him out again. Balogun could have joined another English club but he instead opted to move abroad.
The decision to sign for Reims has proved a blessing in disguise. The 21-year-old recently bagged a dramatic last-second equaliser against Paris Saint-Germain away.
This was followed by his first-ever senior hat-trick as Reims came from behind to beat Lorient 4-2.
Balogun has now taken his tally for Reims to 15 goals from just 21 appearances. 14 of those have come in Ligue 1 where he is the top scorer ahead of PSG star Kylian Mbappe.
On current form, the Arsenal striker could easily bag 25 goals for the campaign and this would provide manager Mikel Arteta with a big decision to make next term.
The Gunners currently have Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah as their main strikers and Balogun would probably be the third-choice if he is reinstated into the squad.
A loan spell with a fellow Premier League club could be an option next season but in our opinion, the youngster should be handed a fair chance to make his Gunners breakthrough.
He has proved from his Reims spell that he can cut it on the big stage and Arsenal may already have a readymade star on their hands, who is ready for the next step with them.
We believe Arteta should use Balogun in regular rotation. If he can replicate his Reims form, the Gunners could have another genuine goalscoring number nine without any investment.
