Player Arsenal sold now criticised by manager as Arteta decision proven correct

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Arsenal made the controversial decision to sell striker Folarin Balogun in the summer transfer window, despite an outstanding loan campaign last season.

Balogun was a product of Arsenal’s Hale End academy, meaning that the transfer fee paid by AS Monaco was pure profit in terms of financial fair play, but some fans were concerned that Mikel Arteta had sold him without giving him a proper chance at the club.

The striker was superb on loan at Stade De Reims last season, scoring 21 goals in 37 Ligue 1 games, and with Arsenal now struggling in front of goal, some have argued that he would be a useful asset in the squad at this point.

However, Balogun has struggled at Monaco, and his manager Adi Hutter has now highlighted where he can improve.

Folarin Balogun criticised by Monaco manager

Speaking to Get French Football News, Hutter claimed that Balogun was struggling to adapt to the different style of play at Monaco, but admitted that he was overall happy with his efforts.

“Firstly, I think we play a different style of football (to Reims). He was the go-to striker. He received the ball in lots of space, he was on the back-line and attacking the space,” Hutter stated of Balogun.

“Here in Monaco, it is a little bit special; it is different for him. We have more possession of the ball, more in the opponent’s half.

“He has to adapt. He’s a young player that I have spoken with a lot. In a career, you’re not always at your best peak, so we have to accept this.

“Everyone can see he can do better. I am happy with him. He’s a very professional player. He does everything in possession. This is football sometimes.”

Mikel Arteta made the right decision to sell Folarin Balogun

Balogun has scored just one goal in his last nine Ligue 1 games, and it is clear that he thrived in a style which saw him running into space on the counter-attack.

Monaco’s style is a lot more comparable to Arsenal’s than Reims was. If Balogun was leading the line for Arsenal right now, he would have encountered the same problems he is facing in the south of France.

Arsenal dominated possession and shots in recent defeats to West Ham and Liverpool, but could not find the back of the net, and their strikers are currently struggling.

However, they did make profit off Balogun, and his style of play now suggests that he would have also faced the same criticisms currently being aimed at Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah if he had stayed.