{"id":1311090,"date":"2023-05-29T15:08:11","date_gmt":"2023-05-29T14:08:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1311090"},"modified":"2023-05-29T15:15:57","modified_gmt":"2023-05-29T14:15:57","slug":"emmanuel-petit-arsenal-sell-folarin-balogun","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/emmanuel-petit-arsenal-sell-folarin-balogun\/","title":{"rendered":"Emmanuel Petit: Arsenal should sell Folarin Balogun"},"content":{"rendered":"

Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit believes the Gunners should sell Folarin Balogun this summer, despite the 21-year-old’s breakthrough season on loan at Reims.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Balogun has enjoyed a stellar 2022\/23 at the Stade Auguste-Delaune under upcoming English tactician Will Still, netting 20 Ligue 1 goals in 36 appearances, which is the joint fourth-most of any player in the French top flight this season.<\/p>\n

No U21 player has scored more goals than him in Europe’s top five leagues, underlining his potency and cut-throat devastation in the final third, which has naturally made him a source of interest from Arsenal fans, who are now clamouring for his involvement next term.<\/p>\n

However, former Premier League-winning midfielder Petit has suggested the club should explore a potential sale while his stock is high.<\/p>\n

Despite Balogun’s emergence as a prolific goal-getter, Petit believes he would struggle for consistent game time in north London behind Gabriel Jesus and<\/em> Eddie Nketiah, which would be detrimental to his development.<\/p>\n

Speaking exclusively to Squawka (on behalf of Genting Casino<\/a>), Petit said: \u201cIf he comes back to Arsenal, he won\u2019t be the first choice, especially with Eddie Nketiah signing a new contract [last summer].<\/p>\n

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\u201cIt would be terrible for him to sit on the bench. He needs to go up, step by step \u2014 he has improved so much in France.”<\/p>\n

Petit believes Balogun — who recently announced his international allegiance to the United States — would be better off staying in France and joining a club higher up on the food chain.<\/p>\n

He continued: \u201cIf I am Balogun, I would go to a better club than Reims, with respect to Reims, and stay in France.<\/p>\n

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    \u201cBut if he comes back to England, he shouldn\u2019t choose Arsenal. Maybe now is the opportunity for Arsenal to sell him.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI like Balogun \u2014 I have been impressed with his season so far. But if he comes back to Arsenal, he won\u2019t be the first choice.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHe\u2019s young, he needs to play regular football, every single week. If he can stay in France and join a team with European football, that could be the next step for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n