03 August 2023 , 09:15
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta issued a bleak update on the fitness of striker Gabriel Jesus, but insisted the Brazilian's injury will not lead to any changes for Folarin Balogun.
As soon as news of Jesus' injury broke, some sections of the Gunners fanbase started to speculate whether his spell on the sidelines would lead to Balogun getting a significant increase in first-team minutes at the start of the new Premier League season. The 22-year-old American international has long been highly-rated within the Arsenal hierarchy, but has seemed destined for the Emirates exit all summer.
Balogun enjoyed a breakout season on loan with Ligue 1 outfit Stade de Reims last term, netting 21 goals in 37 league appearances. It served as an announcement to the rest of English and European football regarding the forward's true talent.
Therefore, many Gunners fans had hoped Balogun would be given a chance to prove himself at the highest level in the red and white of Arsenal. However, Arteta has been reluctant to use the academy graduate over the course of the pre-season.
Balogun has featured against FC Nurnberg and the MLS All-Stars, but missed contests against Manchester United, Barcelona and Monaco. In that time, reports have also emerged claiming that the striker is training alone, away from the rest of the Gunners squad only further sparking speculation an exit is near.
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With Jesus expected to miss the opening exchanges of the new season, Arteta was asked directly whether this could now see Balogun get a chance. The Spaniard replied: "The plan with Flo doesn't change at all, but unfortunately, with Gabby, we not going to have him. We have other options to play with different qualities of players, so we will adapt."
The plan seems to be to cash in on Balogun if the chance presents itself, with Arsenal more than willing to sell providing a buyer meets their valuation, rumoured to be around £45million. As of yet, no club has come forward with such a fee.
Inter Milan were thought to be one of Balogun's main suitors, but the Serie A titans have balked at that asking price and since turned their attentions elsewhere. There has been rumoured interest from fellow Premier League clubs, but nothing concrete at this stage of the window.
Despite the fact that finding a buyer is looking difficult, Arteta is adamant the plan for Balogun stays the same. There's very little chance Balogun is thrown in at the deep end as Arsenal aim for a first title in two decades, especially when currently both Eddie Nketiah and Leandro Trossard sit above him in the pecking order even without Jesus.