Ex-Gunner returns to fitness in time to face Arsenal | OneFootball

Folarin Balogun made his return to action for AS Monaco on Wednesday night, coming off the bench during their 3-2 home defeat to Benfica in the Champions League.

The former Arsenal striker played 27 minutes in his comeback after missing 11 matches due to a shoulder injury.

His return is particularly timely for Monaco as they prepare to face Arsenal in their next Champions League fixture on 11 December.

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Balogun, speaking post-match, reflected on both the game and his recovery journey. “The general feeling is that we had the ability to win the game,” Balogun said of the match they lost at home after going down to 10 men. “On a personal level, I worked hard to come back. A shoulder injury is never something easy to rehabilitate. Now it’s about getting back up to speed. The next game with Arsenal? It will be nice to go back there. It’s a place where I grew up and developed as a footballer. I have a lot of respect for them.”

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Balogun’s return to fitness adds an intriguing subplot to the upcoming clash, given his past with Arsenal.

Sold to Monaco late in the 2023 summer transfer window for €30m, the decision to let the young striker leave sparked debate among the Arsenal fanbase. Many supporters felt that Balogun, despite impressive performances at academy level and a successful loan spell with Reims, never really received a genuine opportunity to break into the Arsenal first team.

The deal, which also included €10m in potential performance-related add-ons and a 17.5% sell-on clause, has seen Balogun continue his development in Ligue 1. This season, the 22-year-old has registered three goals and one assist in nine appearances, playing a total of 496 minutes.

Since leaving Arsenal, Balogun has scored 11 goals and provided eight assists across 41 matches for Monaco, averaging 59 minutes per game.

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Balogun has faced stiff competition at Monaco, often finding himself sharing playing time with other established forwards. This has limited his starts but has allowed him to develop a more rounded game, contributing not just in front of goal but also in creating opportunities for teammates.

For Arsenal, the decision to cash in on Balogun was influenced by multiple factors. With Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah already vying for the striker role, the young forward’s prospects at the Emirates appeared limited.

Furthermore, the need to balance spending from an ambitious transfer window made the €30m fee, plus add-ons, an attractive proposition. The inclusion of a 17.5% sell-on clause, however, indicates that Arsenal still see value in Balogun’s potential, ensuring they could benefit from any future transfer.

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Balogun has also made strides on the international stage since leaving Arsenal, switching his allegiance from England to the United States and quickly becoming an integral part of the USMNT setup. He made his debut in June 2023 and has since earned 17 caps, scoring five goals across various competitions, including the CONCACAF Nations League and Copa América.