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Football London
Football London
Sport
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Folarin Balogun set new FA Cup mission to change Arsenal transfer plans after Man United shock

Arsenal's hopes of lifting the FA Cup for the 15th time in their history are already over for this season.

However, they do have a trick up their sleeve to ensure bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur don't get their hands on the trophy and thus extending their long wait for a piece of silverware to 15 years.

The oldest national football competition returns to our screens this midweek with Arsenal supporters given a reason to watch at least one of the fifth-round ties.

As Middlesbrough host Spurs at the Riverside Stadium tonight, Folarin Balogun is in line to make his latest appearance for the Championship side.

Since joining Boro on loan during the January transfer window, the striker, whilst not yet getting on the scoresheet yet, has performed well during his first taste of regular senior football.

There was the sensational assist for Duncan Watmore's goal during Middlesbrough's 4-1 win over Derby last month and he came close to breaking his duck against Barnsley at the weekend only to be twice denied by the woodwork.

With that said, the highlight of Balogun's loan spell thus far has to be helping Boro shock Manchester United in the fourth round of the FA Cup at Old Trafford.

That was the 20-year-old's first start for the club and he played just over an hour as the visitors knocked out Premier League opposition on penalties.

Now, Balogun's next mission is to do the same to Spurs.

Ever since Boro were paired with Antonio Conte's side, many Arsenal supporters have been sending messages to Balogun, setting him a clear and concise task.

Take a look at what's been said on Twitter...

@Gravitygunner14 said: "Balogun set to play against Tottenham in the Emirates FA Cup! A true gooner @balogun. You know what to do!"

@baley_tim said: "Folarin Balogun is knocking Spurs out."

@jonathan_okto said: "Scenes when he gets the winning goal against them."

@NVSEvade said: "Spurs have Middlesbrough in the FA Cup, @balogun you know what to do."

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Of course, should Balogun have an impressive outing - if he's selected to feature - against Spurs, he could not only become an Arsenal hero but also alter his club's summer transfer plans in the process.

With Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah set to depart in the summer, the Gunners have been linked with moves for Robert Lewandowski, Alexander Isak, Jonathan David and Dominic Calvert-Lewin just to name a few.

But Balogun has a chance to show Mikel Arteta that Arsenal only need one new striker next season.

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