FOLARIN BALOGUN has sent a strong message to Arsenal after making Ligue 1 history with Reims thanks to his goalscoring exploits.
Balogun has been on fire during his loan stint in France and has scored more goals than Paris Saint-Germain superstars Neymar and Lionel Messi.
The striker’s success reached new heights as he set a league record with Will Still’s team.
The forward has become the youngest player to score at least 16 goals in Ligue 1 in his first campaign since the 1960-1961 season.
Balogun reached that landmark at the age of 21 years and 252 days old.
The England Under-21 international, who is also eligible for USA and Nigeria, led Reims to a stunning 1-0 win at Monaco with a fine finish on 51 minutes.
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That works as a powerful message to the Gunners from the youngster that could give manager Mikel Arteta something to think about.
Balogun is not the first loanee to stand out during Arteta’s reign as William Saliba did the same in the last three years with Saint-Etienne, Nice and Marseille.
Saliba is now a key figure in the North Londoners’ Premier League title-chasing squad and has formed a strong partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes at centre-back.
Balogun has scored only three goals fewer than top scorers Kylian Mbappe and Jonathan David of PSG and Lille respectively.
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Arsenal fans took to social media and urged Arteta to consider the centre-forward for next season.
One tweeted: “Going to be revelation in the Arsenal team next season.”
Another commented: “Bring him home.”
And a third wrote: “What a season heās having.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
