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Will Folarin Balogun finally get Arsenal chance with Gabriel Jesus injured?
By Adam Schultz
With the news that Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus will be out for a few weeks due to a knee injury, attention now turns to who gets the chance to lead the line: Eddie Nketiah or Folarin Balogun?
Jesus missed Arsenal’s win over AS Monaco in the Emirates Cup due to a knee injury, and now we know he will be out for a few weeks after he had what Mikel Arteta called a “little procedure”.
This isn’t great with the start of the Premier League season just around the corner, but when a door closes… another one opens, and this is where things get interesting.
Eddie Nketiah has long been thought to be the backup to Jesus and has played that role throughout the pre-season as well as being deployed out wide.
But Folarin Balogun has barely been sighted as questions over his future in north London remain unanswered.
Gabriel Jesus injury: Eddie Nketiah or Folarin Balogun for Arsenal chance?
Arteta on Gabriel Jesus knee injury: “He had a little procedure this morning, he’s injuried unfortunately”. 🚨🔴⚪️ #AFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 2, 2023
“He’s had some discomfort in his knee that caused him some issues so they had to go in”.
“He’s going to be out for a few weeks”. pic.twitter.com/A1eg3klBwG
There have been reports that the Gunners need another No. 9 as Jesus isn’t the answer going forward, and with his latest setback, we might get to see who the answer is.
We know what Nketiah is as a footballer, such were his efforts last season in Jesus’ absence, but what about Balogun? After his exploits in Ligue 1 last season, he more than deserves a shot.
But perhaps his current status with the team is meaning that Arteta goes with Nketiah in the short term…which most Arsenal fans feel will happen.
While the striker debate bubbles away, another thought has popped into my mind: is Jesus’ injury a big worry for the Gunners?
Sometimes players are given their opportunity by luck. Gabriel Jesus’ injury could be that for Folarin Balogun. I feel his Arsenal career is now or never.
— Connor Humm (@TikiTakaConnor) August 2, 2023
Given how crucial he is to how the team operates going forward, is it worth Arteta looking for another option while the transfer window is still open?
This knee injury plagued him for a large part of last season (he missed 12 league games), and now it’s rearing its ugly head again. The only consolation is that it has happened now, and he likely will not miss too many games.
Arsenal and key players getting injuries have been a common theme over the last decade, and it is continuing.
But it does present a chance for someone to stake their claim in the starting side, and given the wealth of options, just who takes that chance will make for fascinating viewing.