Arsenal: 7 pieces of transfer business by deadline day

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta gestures from the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Brentford and Arsenal at Brentford Community Stadium in London on August 13, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

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LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 22: Folarin Balogun of Arsenal looks dejected as he is consoled by Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal following defeat in the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on August 22, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

7. Folarin Balogun Leaving on Loan

Looking across the fixture list for when Folarin Balogun was going to play this season, none felt more nailed on than a Carabao Cup second round tie away at West Brom. It was the least glamorous of all the games Arsenal will play this term and he didn’t even make the bench.

The circumstances were that Arteta had to win with a strong squad to lift the spirits within the team, and given it’s one of only two trophies Arsenal can win this season, you understand his point of view.

But it also spells bad news for Flo. If he can’t get into those squads, he won’t get into any others.

Therefore, and this being contingent on Alexandre Lacazette playing out the final year of his contract which, barring a remarkable turnaround looks set to happen, Flo needs to get a loan move away.

He’s young, hungry, talented and physical. Under-23 football is no longer for him. Balogun needs to play against men, not boys.

Looking at Azeez’s potential switch to Portsmouth, that sort of move would be perfect for the 19-year-old. Let him go out and play every week, gaining valuable minutes before taking Lacazette’s vacated place in the squad for 2022/23.

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It’s what is best for him.

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