Arsenal’s squad went through a massive transformation during the summer of 2023.
Mikel Arteta shifted a lot of deadwood, with the likes of Pablo Mari, Kieran Tierney and Nicolas Pepe departing on permanent transfers.
Arsenal also sold Granit Xhaka to Bayer Leverkusen, which came as quite a surprise given how well he performed the season prior.
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The most expensive departure was actually a young attacker, and he’s now flourishing overseas at his new club.
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Folarin Balogun scores in eight successive games for Monaco
There was some debate about whether Arsenal should sell Folarin Balogun during the 2023 summer transfer window.
Balogun had just come off the back of a 22-goal season with Ligue 1 outfit Stade Reims, but ultimately, Arteta decided to sanction his sale in a £35m deal to Monaco.
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The 24-year-old has since gone on to score 30 goals in 88 appearances, and in recent months, he’s really found his groove.
Balogun has netted in eight consecutive Ligue 1 matches, with only Kylian Mbappe achieving that feat in one of Europe’s top five leagues this term.
The USA international had the chance to surpass Mbappe’s record against Toulouse on the weekend, but didn’t manage to get on the scoresheet.
Nevertheless, it’s been a fabulous season for the former Gunners striker, as he’s also netted five goals in the Champions League.
Balogun scored twice against the reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16, so clearly he’s become a top-level centre-forward since leaving the Emirates Stadium.
Perhaps Arsenal chiefs regret letting him leave, especially considering how poor Viktor Gyokeres has been at times.
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