Arsenal have had to make some difficult academy decisions over the years.
Not every Hale End talent can make it in Mikel Arteta’s first team, especially now that the Gunners are competing for the biggest trophies in England and Europe.
That means talented players sometimes have to be moved on, even when supporters believe they have real potential.
Folarin Balogun was one of those players, and Christian Pulisic has now made it clear just how dangerous the former Arsenal striker really is.
Who is the one Arsenal academy player you thought would become a superstar but never did?
Christian Pulisic says Folarin Balogun is faster and stronger than people think
Balogun spent most of his footballing education at Arsenal.
The striker joined the club at the age of 10 and worked his way through the academy, scoring goals regularly and earning plenty of praise along the way.
For a long time, many supporters hoped he would eventually become a first-team striker at the Emirates Stadium. Balogun’s loan spell at Stade Reims only increased that excitement.
The USMNT striker impressed in France, scored goals consistently and proved that he was good enough to lead the line at a high level.
However, Arsenal had a decision to make when he returned.
There was no obvious route into Arteta’s first-team squad, and the Gunners received a strong offer from Monaco in 2023. In the end, selling him made sense for everyone involved.
Balogun has since continued developing away from north London, and Pulisic clearly rates him very highly.
Speaking about the striker, Pulisic said on Men in Blazers: “I mean, he’s just constantly a threat to score goals. It seems like he’s always finding and picking up spaces similarly to Riccardo Pepi.
“These guys, you see them scoring every week. It’s special. I mean, we have really good options up front.
“He’s just always like I said, he’s always there and he’s always causing a threat in behind. He’s faster and stronger than people think as well. Balogun is just always finding goals.”
🤔 Did Arsenal do a good or bad deal selling Folarin Balogun for £35M?
Folarin Balogun’s stats since leaving Arsenal
Balogun enjoyed a very strong campaign last season.
The former Arsenal striker scored 19 goals and provided five assists in all competitions for Monaco, which is a seriously impressive return.
That showed exactly why so many people rated him during his time at the Arsenal academy.
However, his overall record since leaving Arsenal is not quite at a level that should make the Gunners regret their decision.
Balogun has managed 31 goals and 13 assists in 91 appearances since his permanent move away from the Emirates.
At 24, he still has plenty of time to become a top striker, but Arsenal were right to sell when they did. They got good money, he got regular football, and the move made sense for everyone.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
