Arsenal U23s started their season with a 3-1 victory away to Blackburn Rovers last night, with Folarin Balogun hitting a hat-trick.
The Hale End product, who has now stepped up from the U18s on a full-time basis, was hugely impressive for the U23s in pre-season and has now taken that form into the real action.
Two of Balogun’s goals against Blackburn were penalties, with the other coming from a rebound after he had missed a spot-kick.
What was especially impressive, though, was the fact that the striker won two of the penalties himself, with his pace and trickery proving extremely difficult for the Blackburn defenders to deal with.
With Eddie Nketiah having joined Leeds United on loan, Balogun will hope to establish himself as the first choice striker for Steve Bould’s side this season.
The 18-year-old faces considerable competition in that regard from Tyreece John-Jules, who was only fit enough to make the bench last night.
John-Jules, who has already featured for the first-team in friendlies, is also capable of operating out wide or in the number ten position, meaning there is a possibility that both he and Balogun could start regularly.
Balogun will have aspirations of getting called up to the first-team squad at some point this season, with opportunities likely to be available in the Europa League, especially if senior players are out injured.
The season has started in excellent fashion for Balogun, but he will be determined to not rest on his laurels and will be aiming to follow in the footsteps of Nketiah by maintaining his clinical nature in front of goal while stepping up to the U23s.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
Balogun, JJ, Saka all look decent prospects.
Thomson did not look too bad at Lback either to be honest.
Olayonku also impressed with Burton.
We have a decent crop perculating.
Please spell the name right. It’s Olayinka for the love of God
This kid looks like fire and the conveyor belt of strikers continues from the youf setup
in other news, an anagram of his name is GOAL BUN
Yeah, a by-product of Eddie going on loan is the opportunities that open up for John Jules and Balogun with his absence. We have three really exciting attacking prospects there and you’d expect at least one of them to fulfill his potential and get into our 1st team squad regularly.