Ian Wright’s Confident Arsenal Prediction: Guaranteeing Success in the Next Season
Folarin Balogun is set to return to Arsenal in the summer after a successful loan spell with Will Still’s Reims – and Ian Wright has high expectations for the youngster.
Folarin Balogun is expected to have a breakthrough season at Arsenal when he returns from his loan spell at Reims in the summer, according to Ian Wright.
Balogun, 21, has impressed this season while on loan at Will Still’s side. He has scored 18 goals in 29 appearances, placing him third in Ligue 1 scoring behind Jonathan David and Kylian Mbappe.
However, he could be Arsenal’s third-choice next season. Since his big-money move from Manchester City, Gabriel Jesus has shone, and Eddie Nketiah has impressed when he has played.
Wright, on the other hand, believes Balogun will hit the ground running when he returns in pre-season. The New York-born striker has only made two Premier League appearances for Arsenal so far.
“Hopefully he can come back to Arsenal at some point and prove himself,” he said on Wrighty’s House podcast. He’s reached a new level of self-assurance.
“I think anywhere he goes in aspect of leagues; he’ll do what he is doing (in France) with the right service. It’s the way he’s taking those chances. His head space is at a different place right now. He knows he can do it right now.
“I guarantee you if he comes back, he probably picks up from what he’s doing in that league.”
There has been a lot of talk surrounding Balogun’s international future over the last week after he pulled out of the England Under 21s squad through injury. Balogun then decided to travel all the way over to the USA to hold talks over representing them instead of the Three Lions.
Gareth Southgate snubbed him for England’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine. Ivan Toney, who has 16 Premier League goals for Brentford this season, was chosen as Harry Kane’s backup striker.
“As I’ve said before, we’ve had dialogue,” USA interim head coach Anthony Hudson said last week. We’ve talked. He’s here for a break and then some training, and we’ve had some conversations.
“I think it’s been good because it’s given us a chance to share about our program, who we are, and what we do, and that’s all.” I hope we get another chance to speak with him. It’s been great, and I know a few of the guys have talked to him.”
Arsenal fans will be hoping that this does not jeopardize his form for Reims. He has been one of France’s standout young players this season and will be vying for the Golden Boot award. Reims is currently ninth, seven points behind the European leaders.
