Arsenal finished the summer transfer window with just Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah as the forward options going into the season. A lot of pressure will be placed on both forwards with a heavy fixture schedule due to the club set to participate in four competitions, including the Premier League, Europa League, Carabao Cup and FA Cup.
However, it could prove to be a blessing in disguise that Edu decided against signing a third option. This is because Folarin Balogun is currently high-flying in Ligue 1.
The Englishman has impressed in the top division in France during the opening weeks of the campaign. His dominance has been highlighted by the clinical nature he has shown since making the move.
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Balogun has scored five goals in the league so far. This puts him joint third on the Ligue 1 top scorers list, having scored two more goals than Lionel Messi, and with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe the only players to have scored more goals than him.
Not only does he rank highly in France, but also compared to many other strikers around Europe. The loanee sits fourth amongst Europe’s top five leagues for goals per touch this season.
Manchester City’s Erling Haaland dominates the rankings as Arsenal’s old target Dusan Vlahovic sits in second place and Terem Moffi is the only other player ahead of Balogun.
Alongside Balogun's scoring success, he has also been helpful in the creativity department as he has contributed with assists. The Englishman's seven goal contributions mean he currently ranks ninth compared to any other striker in the European top five leagues for the highest goal involvements. Balogun currently sits ahead of the likes of Alexander Mitrovic, who has been setting the Premier League alight in the opening weeks of the season.
Balogun started the first Premier League game for Arsenal last season against Brentford, which was the moment it seemed he had finally broken through into the Arsenal squad. However, he was unable to make another start and was eventually loaned out to Middlesbrough.
However, he can take reassurance from William Saliba that a successful spell in Ligue 1 can change your fortunes in succeeding to breakthrough at Arsenal, as the Frenchman experienced a similar situation.
Saliba was sent out on loan towards the end of the summer transfer window in 2021. The Frenchman was sent to Marseille after Arsenal had signed Ben White from Brighton for a £50million fee, which might have seemed to spell the end to Saliba's short career in north London as both he and White had similarities in their game.
However, Saliba was exceptional during his loan move, which saw him earn a national team call-up for the first time, and he was awarded the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Season award following a stellar 2021/22 campaign in France. The 21-year-old has played nearly every minute of the league season for Marseille, keeping 13 clean sheets over 36 appearances. He helped the side finish second in Ligue 1.
Balogun can take inspiration from this and look to repeat a similar pattern with Reims. His early goal domination highlights that this is the trajectory he is currently following.
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