Balogun Returns to Fitness Just in Time for Arsenal Match

New York: Folarin Balogun made his comeback for AS Monaco on Wednesday night. He played in their 3-2 loss to Benfica in the Champions League. Balogun came off the bench and played for 27 minutes after being out for 11 matches due to a shoulder injury.

His return is crucial for Monaco as they get ready to play against Arsenal on December 11. Balogun shared his thoughts after the match, saying they could have won. He mentioned that recovering from a shoulder injury is tough, but he is focused on getting back to his best.

Balogun expressed excitement about facing Arsenal, where he grew up as a player. He has a lot of respect for the club. His return adds an interesting angle to the upcoming game, especially since he used to play for Arsenal.

He was sold to Monaco for €30 million at the end of the summer transfer window. This decision caused some debate among Arsenal fans. Many believed Balogun deserved more chances in the first team after his strong performances in the academy and a successful loan at Reims.

The transfer deal included potential performance-related bonuses and a sell-on clause. Since joining Monaco, Balogun has continued to grow as a player. This season, he has scored three goals and provided one assist in nine games, totaling 496 minutes on the field.

Since leaving Arsenal, Balogun has scored 11 goals and made eight assists in 41 matches for Monaco. He averages about 59 minutes of play per game. At Monaco, he faces tough competition from other forwards, which has limited his starting opportunities but helped him improve his overall game.

Arsenal’s decision to sell Balogun was based on several reasons. With Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah already competing for the striker position, Balogun’s chances at Arsenal seemed limited. The club also needed to manage their spending after an ambitious transfer window, making the €30 million fee appealing.

The sell-on clause shows that Arsenal still values Balogun’s potential and wants to benefit from any future transfer. Since leaving Arsenal, Balogun has also made progress internationally. He switched his allegiance from England to the United States and quickly became a key player for the USMNT.

He debuted in June 2023 and has since earned 17 caps, scoring five goals in various competitions, including the CONCACAF Nations League and Copa América. Balogun’s journey continues as he aims to make an impact both at the club and international levels.

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