Revealed: What ‘frustrated’ Balogun about Arsenal
Robin Bairner
- 13 Jan 2022 12:53 GMT
- 5 min read
Arsenal youngster Folarin Balogun departed the club on loan to Middlesbrough earlier this week and admits that he is hungry to prove himself with the Championship club.
The 20-year-old has departed with the intention of gaining greater first-team experience, having featured only four times for the Gunners’ top team this season, including twice in the EFL Cup.
Having netted an astonishing 13 goals in 11 Premier League 2 matches, he feels he is ready to step up and believes he will be given the opportunity at the Riverside Stadium.
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Balogun determined
Balogun’s chances at Arsenal proved limited, though he was given a taste of first-team football on the opening day of the season when he started against Brentford. That encounter ended in defeat, but it gave the young attacker a taste of the big time that he wants to experience again.
Indeed, he admits that not starting against subsequently has left him itching for more.
“We lost the first game of the season and I wanted to put it right. You don’t get that chance in first team football all the time. I was upset and frustrated but had to be ready to go again,” he explained.
“I hope a successful loan puts me in a better position than I was in before coming here.
“Coming through the ranks at Arsenal and being their main striker was always something I wanted to achieve. Coming here my job is to give it my all and see what happens.
“It is a case of me knowing what I can do and showing it on the first-team stage. That is the main thing.
“It is difficult for any young player. Breaking through is something you know won’t happen overnight. Young footballers have to wait for their chance, I am looking forward to it now it has arrived.
“I want to play senior football, fight for three points, to push for promotion and there is a lot of pressure here. It is a great fit for me to be here and learn and score goals.”
Balogun could make his Middlesbrough debut on Saturday against Reading, with the Arsenal loanee’s intention to help Boro to promotion.
