Arsenal hoping to extend contract of young striker Balogun

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has confirmed that the Gunners are hoping to extend Folarin Balogun’s contract following a run of impressive performance recently.

The young forward scored in the victory over Dundalk last night, the second time he’s come off the bench to score in the Europa League.

He’s previously been the subject of interest from Sheff Utd, but the player opted to stay at the Emirates to fight for a starting place.

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Arteta has now confirmed that club officials are determined to keep the promising youngster.

Speaking after the Dundalk victory, he said: “We’ve been having some discussions with the player. He knows that we want to retain him at the club and we know that the length of his contract at the moment is an issue, but we’re trying to resolve it in the best possible way.

“We want him to stay and he’s said to me that he wants to stay at the club, so hopefully we can reach an agreement and extend his contract.

“He’s done really well. Every minute he’s been on that field he’s been superb and today he looked a threat again. He scored a goal and set up another one, and he looked really lively and mature on the pitch.”

The ongoing emergence of Balogun comes at an interesting time for Arsenal’s attack. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is under fire for his drop in form since signing a new contract with the club.

Arteta also revealed recently that the captain ‘isn’t undroppable’, leading to rumours that he could be benched soon if he doesn’t pick up his form.

Balogun is the latest talented player to come from Arsenal’s famed academy. He’s already shown his keen eye for goal, having scored with virtually his first touch against Molde.

As always, however, we mustn’t get ahead of ourselves over Arsenal’s new ‘plan b’.