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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Marc Mayo

Folarin Balogun plans Arsenal talks after stunning Reims loan spell as he reveals Thierry Henry advice

Folarin Balogun is set for crucial summer talks over his Arsenal future after a thoroughly impressive loan spell at Reims.

The 21-year-old is among Ligue 1’s top goalscorers with a tally of 17 after netting in back-to-back games against Monaco and Marseille, helping his side put together an unlikely bid for European football.

Such form has also heightened speculation over his future and Balogun is keen to get around the table with Mikel Arteta, following high praise from the Arsenal boss.

“It's really positive that he could say these things and I mean I'm sure we'll speak at the end of the season and we'll have a lot of things to discuss,” he revealed to Sky Sports.

“But it's nice that he's watching and paying attention to what's going on.

“There's discussions that need to take place and it's not a decision that will only be with me. The club will let me know their point of view and I'm sure we'll come to an agreement.”

Balogun has made several nods to Thierry Henry with his goal celebrations in France and has been eager to learn from his conversations with the Arsenal legend.

“[Henry] knows the feeling and how uncomfortable it can be,” Balogun told the Mail. “So I'm asking more general questions about his career and how he felt at certain points.

“He takes a lot of accountability for what happened in his life. It’s the same advice he gives to me. He says, ‘You’re here for a reason and it’s up to you. Whether you grab the opportunity or not is another question. But you have to prove why you’re here’.

“He’s big on accountability and that has definitely helped me this season.”

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