Ray Parlour explains to Mikel Arteta what Folarin Balogun will contribute to Arsenal.
The former Highbury great has backed the Arsenal school graduate to provide Mikel Arteta with an alternative forward option ahead of the starlet's crucial pre-season.
Arsenal star Ray Parlour has encouraged USMNT midfielder Folarin Balogun to get into Mikel Arteta's plans for the upcoming Premier League season.
Last season, the Gunners academy graduate had a breakout season at senior level while on loan in France with Stade de Reims, scoring 22 goals. The 22-year-old also put concerns about his international allegiance to rest by pledging allegiance to the United States, and he has already broken his duck against Canada.
The prodigy has had a rollercoaster year and will be trying to parlay his form from last season into becoming a regular goalscorer for his boyhood team. The former England U-21 striker is facing one of the most important pre-seasons of his career, with worries over his long-term future at the club.
The youngster's form while on loan last season suggests he will not be short of admirers this summer, and the USMNT's newest star has stated openly that he does not want to be sent on loan again. With a tour of his birthplace coming up in the next month, including a match against the MLS All-Stars, the potential now has the chance to stake his claim.
With first-choice center striker Gabriel Jesus ahead of him in the pecking order and Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz also capable of playing in the middle, his route to more minutes appears to be fairly cluttered. However, former Highbury favourite Parlour believes the local lad will provide Arteta with a second option in the future.
"[Folarin] Balogun can definitely offer Arsenal something different in the striker role," he told JBI Training, explaining how the prolific prodigy may fit into the Spaniard's plans. He is a large, tall man with a good frame. I believe he has a fantastic shot to get into [Mikel] Arteta's plans for the upcoming season if he performs well on the pre-season tour.
"Everyone will be given an opportunity, and he will have to show Mikel Arteta that he is ready to be part of his squad next season," the man supporters once dubbed the Romford Pele added, explaining that he has been impressed with Balogun's attitude in recent months, as well as his desire to seek game time.
"I like the player's desire." He's already stated that he wants to play after his successful loan spell in France; it remains to be seen if that will be at Arsenal."
Following a friendly against FC Nuremberg in Germany, Arsenal will travel to the United States later this month, where they will face the MLS All-Stars on July 20 before facing Manchester United and Barcelona. Following a home friendly against AS Monaco, all attention will be on the Community Shield against Manchester City.
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