Arsenal u23s beat Brentford B 5-0 in a behind-closed-doors friendly today.I don’t have too much info on the game yet. Clarke, Azeez, Cottrell, Matthews and McEneff all featured, Clarke got an assist.I’d put money on the identity of at least one of the scorers... https://t.co/pFnGN2VrF1— Dan Critchlow (@afcDW) July 30, 2019 Balogun scored two goals and assisted one ⚽️⚽️🅰️— Dan Critchlow (@afcDW) July 30, 2019
Folarin Balogun scored in Arsenal u23s’ 6-1 win over Watford yesterday. His sixth goal in his last three games.— Dan Critchlow (@afcDW) August 4, 2019
Starts for U23s: 📝 Here's how #AFCU23 line-up against @Rovers in their first #PL2 outing of the season... XI: Hillson, Swanson, Holding, Clarke, Bola, Olayinka, Burton (c), Smith-Rowe, Tormey, Balogun, CoyleBENCH: Smith, Olowu, Omole, McEneff, John-Jules#ArsenalAcademy pic.twitter.com/d6pWgPv4SL— Arsenal Academy (@ArsenalAcademy) August 12, 2019
Brought down in the box & took the PK... which was saved & he then scored the rebound. GET IN THERE! @FBalogun67's penalty is saved... but he makes no mistake with the rebound 😎🔵 1-1 🔴 (30) | #PL2 pic.twitter.com/H16sSoJPxJ— Arsenal Academy (@ArsenalAcademy) August 12, 2019
And another: Cool as you like, @FBalogun67 😉🔵 1-2 🔴 (84) | #PL2 pic.twitter.com/WsVLxHp0fs— Arsenal Academy (@ArsenalAcademy) August 12, 2019
ANOTHER PENALTY - ANOTHER GOAL! HAT-TRICK HERO @FBALOGUN67 🔥🔵 1-3 🔴 (90) | #PL2 pic.twitter.com/SWxPQh5ybV— Arsenal Academy (@ArsenalAcademy) August 12, 2019 PK hat trick
Shows his footwork and pace to earn the first two PKs. Folarin Balogun’s hat-trick of penalties from the u23 match on Monday #AFChttps://t.co/jTurNQw5bA— Dan Critchlow (@afcDW) August 14, 2019
📝 Here’s how #AFCU23 line-up against @OfficialBHAFC in the #PL2 tonight… #ArsenalAcademy 🔥 pic.twitter.com/cjhKvAnuzl— Arsenal Academy (@ArsenalAcademy) August 16, 2019 Starts up top for the U23s.
From Serge Gnabry to Donyell Malen, Arsenal has let too many young talents escape without getting enough first-team opportunities.@markwhlte explains why Folarin Balogun could be the next big thing out of Hale End, and why Arsenal need to bet on him. https://t.co/9uYmWKd6iF pic.twitter.com/urmo2FAsAq— Breaking The Lines (@BTLvid) August 20, 2019
Here’s how #AFCU23 line-up against @EvertonAcademy in the #PL2 …#ArsenalAcademy 🔥 pic.twitter.com/SrV1qp1bOq— Arsenal Academy (@ArsenalAcademy) August 23, 2019
📝 Here's how #AFCU21 line-up in the @LeasingcomTrphy against @NTFC tonight... #ArsenalAcademy 🔥 pic.twitter.com/kCnS9BhncG— Arsenal Academy (@ArsenalAcademy) August 27, 2019
Didn't hear much about him during the game, but he did score his PK in the shootout after the 1-1 draw. Waters converts before Balogun finds the top corner with great composure... #NTFC: ✅✅✅✅#AFCU21: ⛔️✅✅✅— Arsenal Academy (@ArsenalAcademy) August 27, 2019
It's part of the Leasing.com Trophy, which means PKs after a 1-1 draw. The winner of the PKs gets an extra point. He scored his: Waters converts before Balogun finds the top corner with great composure... #NTFC: ✅✅✅✅#AFCU21: ⛔️✅✅✅— Arsenal Academy (@ArsenalAcademy) August 27, 2019
So this guy is probably committed to England unless he stops getting call ups and then maybe switches to the US? Otherwise when is the next opportunity for us to attempt calling this kid up?
Pretty sure he's still a "free agent" at U20 (or UEFA's equivalent level) so next month's supposed U20 camp in Europe (for 01/02 birth years, generally) would be one such opportunity. Whether that would be enough to attract him, I couldn't say.
This kid is nuts. His scoring record in the youth ranks reminds me of when I used to follow Chelsea more and Solanke and Abraham would score every single game. He's eligible for Nigeria too, right? Does anyone have any idea on whether he'd rather play for us or them?
There was an interview he did talking about his time at Arsenal. The last known quote (unless someone has seen a more recent article) is he said he would talk to his parents in helping him decide his int'l future. Both parents are Nigerian, so I feel (when I try to read between the lines) that parent influence will be a strong push towards the Super Eagles if England doesn't work out. I think if he keeps his scoring rate for his club up, he will stay in the England fold until he's not eligible for the u21 Euros. A switch will probably come when he's 24-25, if he's not cap tied by then.
Scores again: #AFCU23's unbeaten start to the season continues ✅What a comeback, lads 👏 pic.twitter.com/4jkbdeviNp— Arsenal Academy (@ArsenalAcademy) August 30, 2019