Arsenal have important Balogun & Lacazette decision to make

If Lacazette Stays Then Folarin Balogun Should Leave Arsenal on Loan

What Arsenal should do with Lacazette is sell him.

It is far too often understated how brilliant the Frenchman is behind the scenes at the Emirates. Sifting through interviews with youth players or new signings, almost all of them will credit the 30-year-old with helping to make them feel welcome in their surroundings.

A much loved member of the squad who definitely falls under the ‘players’ player’ bracket, his selflessness on and off the pitch are why he’s so adored by the fanbase. On the ability front that is less favoured. Arsenal have not seen a return on their hefty investment.

Things can turn in an instant in the transfer market and just because it’s quiet at present doesn’t mean things won’t alter regarding Lacazette’s future. However, Duncan Castles on the Transfer Window Podcast stated:

"“Lacazette has been marketed very aggressively around Europe, but there’s not been any particular interest that is strong enough to suggest that Arsenal will be able to offload Lacazette.”"

https://twitter.com/balogun/status/1415319354548396034

This is already a recurring theme. Arsenal have a mountain of players to ship and nobody willing to pluck them off them at the fees they’re seeking. And if it is so that Lacazette stays in north London, Balogun should be loaned out.

In 12 months Lacazette’s deal will end and Balogun will benefit far greater from a season of regular top-flight football than he will with the occasional FA Cup and Carabao Cup outing. Martinelli will also get his chance in those matches and if Aubameyang is the starting striker in the Premier League with Lacazette behind him, Balogun may struggle to make the bench outside of cups.

The caveat is that Balogun has proven himself to be a valuable weapon coming off the bench. Granted the quality of opposition has to be mentioned but for someone oozing with confidence the level he’s thrust into won’t be an issue.

From a fans’ perspective it would also be nice to see him in action. However, at 19 years old, his chance will come. If he’s playing 30+ Bundesliga matches or helping Fulham return straight back to the Premier League, that will do more for his development than occasional outings in north London.

The other option is leaving six months. Aubameyang will depart for AFCON in the winter and bringing Balogun back to the club then is also worth exploring, as well as vice versa with him departing elsewhere at the end of January.

If Lacazette does stay, Balogun needs to go out and play.