Arsenal: 4 players impacted by Folarin Balogun contract

Alexandre Lacazette

Another fairly obvious one is Alexandre Lacazette, whose form has polarised the debate over whether Arsenal should keep hold of him for next season.

Does he stay until the end of his deal? Do Arsenal offer him a new contract? Should they sell him in the summer?

The answer simply has to be sell. While a fan favourite and without a bad word to say of the 29-year-old, arriving on the money he has and with the goal return he’s produced, it hasn’t been a successful purchase financially speaking.

With Balogun’s future now cemented it gives Arsenal greater freedom to accept what offers come in. Of course, the 19-year-old is not a direct replacement considering he has never set foot on a Premier League pitch yet and it’s unhealthy to expect too much of him already, but he is physically strong and holds the ball up well in a similar vein to Lacazette.

Even though he’s come under stinging criticism there are enough suitors across Europe interested in his signature, the like that will have been boosted by a superb display against Sheffield United, and Arsenal absolutely can’t afford to miss the opportunity to sell like they did last summer. Balogun’s extension looks like being a step towards that.