Mikel Arteta told me to leave Arsenal, now I’m coming to the Emirates to prove a point

Add as preferred source on Google

Once Arsenal have moved on from the disappointment attached to their draw against Fulham, they’ll quickly need to refocus on the arrival of Monaco in the Champions League.

Arsenal face Monaco at the Emirates Stadium in the first of their final three league stage games.

As of now, Mikel Arteta’s side are still very much in the mix for a top eight finish in the new league phase of the competition, sitting one place ahead of Monaco.

Arsenal have had several close links to Monaco over the years – both Arsene Wenger and Thierry Henry were at the club before moving to north London.

Now, Folarin Balogun is the biggest connection between the two sides, who left Arsenal in a permanent switch to Ligue 1 last summer.

Folarin Balogun set to face Arsenal for the first time in the Champions League

Monaco paid £25.7m for Balogun in 2023, a deal which has yielded mixed success so far.

At 23-years-old, Balogun still has bags of potential but he hasn’t quite lit up Ligue 1 in similar fashion to his goalscoring for Stade Reims whilst on loan from Arsenal.

READ MORE: £45m Arsenal star is running out of chances – he was shocking in 1-1 draw with Fulham

For Reims, Balogun netted 22 goals in 39 games in all competitions, whereas for Monaco, the striker has scored 11 times in 42 appearances.

It’s a new challenge for the striker playing at a club with bigger aspirations, and fitness permitting, Balogun will now have the chance to prove himself against Arsenal.

Balogun suffered a shoulder dislocation a few months ago, a persistent problem which has limited his game time, however it’s hoped that he will be fit for Wednesday.

The United States international has featured as substitute in all three of Monaco’s Champions League games he’s been fit for, a chance he’ll hope to get away to Arsenal.

Why did Folarin Balogun leave Arsenal?

Speaking on ‘Ballin Abroad’ earlier this year, Balogun explained his decision to leave Arsenal for a new challenge in 2023, stating that Arteta made his position very clear.

Arteta admitted to Balogun that he wouldn’t play regularly, pushing the striker to make the ‘right decision’.

Balogun said: “I remember speaking to Mikel and we just spoke about his plans and he said that he wouldn’t be able to guarantee me the same amount of games I got last year.

“That was understandable, but from my point of view, I needed those games to improve and learn different things.

“It wasn’t so much of a big decision, I feel like it was a decision that is sometimes just the right decision.”