Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has opened up on the future of teenage sensation Folarin Balogun, whose contract is set to expire in June amid stalled talks over possible renewal.
The 19-year-old is yet to feature for the Gunners in the Premier League this season, but he has put up a top notch performance in the Europa League this season, notching up two goals in four appearances.
Arteta has disclosed that he’s been trying to convince the Arsenal academy product to remain at the club by inviting him to first-team training sessions.
The Anglo-Nigerian forward last appeared in the colours of the north London side in December when he came on as a 77th-minute substitute in the 4-1 League Cup defeat to Manchester City.
When asked if Balogun’s lack of appearances is due to his contract situation, Arteta said in his press conference; “No. If anything – regarding his contractual situation with the club – I just wanted to convince him that he has a future at the club, not send him the opposite message.
“Before he wasn’t training with the first team, we changed that and he’s been training with us a lot. He’s improving every single day, he’s showing a real hunger and decided to be with us. We’re trying to get something done because we want him to stay and we have to go step-by-step.
“I think he’s made some big steps in the last few months, where he wasn’t even training and then he had a few good games for us. So the steps are there in every way and we want to try to keep him.”
Balogun scored his first professional goal in the Europa League against Molde in November 2020 and he has two goals in four appearances in the competition so far.
Despite his fine run in Europe, Arteta cited the competition for places as a reason for Balogun’s absence in his matchday squads ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup trip to Southampton.
“Because of the competition we have now and because there are other players that haven’t had many minutes and they’ve played in the FA Cup. It takes time,” he added.
“We have to respect that with Eddie, he’s not been playing a lot recently as well and he’s in front of him at the moment and we have to be calm and respectful.”
