Former Arsenal star Folarin Balogun was fantastic for Monaco despite their defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
The USMNT international joined the Gunners’ academy all the way back in 2012, when he was just 10 years old. He came through the ranks and was always impressive at youth level.
Arsenal sent Balogun on loan to Reims in the 2022/23 season, and he became a huge hit in France. Monaco then signed him permanently for £35 million. (BBC)
On Tuesday night, Balogun starred for the Ligue 1 side and managed to enter Paris Saint-Germain’s history books.
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Folarin Balogun scores the fastest Champions League goal PSG have ever conceded
It was an all-French clash between Monaco and PSG in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Luis Enrique’s side, who knocked Arsenal out of the competition last season, were the favourites to win the game, and they did just that.
However, things did not go to plan early on.
Folarin Balogun gave Monaco the lead after just 55 seconds. That’s the fastest goal PSG have conceded in the Champions League in their entire history.
The former Arsenal striker scored again in the 18th minute, but PSG came from behind to win the game 3-2 thanks to an Achraf Hakimi goal either side of Desire Doue’s brace.
Balogun will definitely be disappointed that Monaco ended up losing, but his name is now in the PSG history books for his super-quick goal.
It remains to be seen if anyone can score a faster goal against PSG in the Champions League.
READ MORE: Arsenal fans ask Mikel Arteta why Folarin Balogun was sold after his Champions League brace vs PSG
🤔 Did Arsenal do a good or bad deal selling Folarin Balogun for £35M?
How has Folarin Balogun performed since leaving Arsenal?
In 2023, after his loan spell, Balogun understood that he had no future at the Emirates.
The Gunners already had Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah ahead of him, and Mikel Arteta then added Kai Havertz into the squad for big money.
Arsenal decided to sell Balogun for big money, and the Premier League leaders have come out of the deal looking better.
In 78 games for Monaco since joining them, Balogun has scored just 22 goals, which is not great for a striker who was signed in a £35 million deal.
However, if the former Hale End star finds a way to knock PSG out in the second leg, that would be one less headache to worry about for Arsenal in the latter stages of the Champions League.
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