Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun is enjoying a brilliant loan spell in France with Ligue 1 outfit Stade de Reims this season ahead of a return to the Emirates Stadium this summer
Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun has revealed his frustrations in pre-season, along with a conversation with Mikel Arteta, contributed to his decision to join Stade de Reims on loan for the 2022/23 campaign. The Hale End star was involved in Arteta’s squad for the pre-season tour of America but he did not make an appearance before moving to France.
The 21-year-old striker has relished the opportunity to show his ability in France, something he felt he would not have been able to do following a frustrating pre-season tour with Arsenal last summer. Balogun told Arsenal’s official website: “Last summer, I went on tour with the first team to America and I didn’t get any playing time out there, so I was a bit frustrated.
“It’s one of my dreams to just play in the first-team. I had to be realistic at the same time.
“I spoke to Mikel and he gave me a few options. And together, we decided it’d be best for me to come to France.”
Balogun has revealed that his time in Ligue 1 has been a real test of his ability but he continues to shine for Reims and is one of the top goalscorers in Ligue 1. Speaking to Onze Mondial, the New-York born striker said: “Ligue 1 is really very difficult – I am very shocked when I hear people saying that the league is easy.
“I don’t understand why this league isn’t sometimes respected like it should be, especially on the internet. As a Ligue 1 player, I can say that it’s a very, very difficult division.