Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun is having a breakthrough season with Reims in the Ligue 1 scoring 15 goals in 24 appearances. This is more than Gabriel Jesus (5 goals) and Eddie Nketiah (4 goals) have scored for Arsenal in the Premier League this season. This has raised the question of whether he should return to Arsenal at the end of the season.
While Balogun is having a brilliant season for Reims, I strongly believe that staying put at Reims for another season would be a better and safer option for him. Here’s why.
Arsenal are on the verge of winning their first Premier League title in 19 years and at the heart of that triumph have been Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah.
Jesus in particular was Arsenal’s first-choice striker before his injury last year and one of Mikel Arteta’s best legs. He is not a prolific goalscorer but his ability to combine well with his teammates, dribbling ability in tight spaces and defensive work rate makes him Arsenal’s first-choice striker.
Jesus has recorded 5 assists this season, which is more than both Balogun (1 assist) and Nketiah (1 assist) combined. He has completed more passes and more offensive actions than Balogun and Nketiah.
Moreso, Jesus’ work rate has also made him Arteta’s favourite striker. Despite playing lesser games than Nketian and Balogun, he has recorded more defensive action (tackles and interceptions).
Nketiah, on the other hand, has proven to be a good second-choice striker in the absence of Jesus for the Premier League table toppers. The young English forward has netted 4 goals in the 5 games he has started for the Gunners.
With Jesus and Nketiah having proven to be reliable strikers for Mikel Arteta thus far, it would be difficult for Balogun to earn the trust of the manager. Even if he does displace Nketiah, it will be a herculean task to displace Jesus.
Therefore, the 21-year-old should stay for one more season at Reims, get more playing time and experience and reassess his options afterwards.
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