Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun has now posted a cryptic message on Twitter amid reports that Mikel Arteta has made the Inter Milan transfer target train on his own.
The 22-year-old is currently in America having made Arteta’s squad for Arsenal’s pre-season tour of the USA. He also featured in the Gunners’ first friendly in the States against the MLS All-Stars. But Balogun only took a seat on their bench for their defeat to Manchester United.
Arteta opted against introducing Balogun at any stage against the Red Devils as Arsenal lost 2-0. The Athletic then reported on Monday night that Balogun trained away from Arsenal’s first-team earlier that day. While the Mirror added on Tuesday that it was Arteta’s decision.
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Arteta makes Balogun train alone in Arsenal’s pre-season tour
Arsenal are considering cashing in on Balogun with Inter Milan interested in his transfer. The Serie A side are checking out his situation after impressing on loan to Stade de Reims during the 2022/23 season. But Emirates Stadium chiefs are hoping to make £50m should he leave.
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Balogun only has two years remaining on his contract in north London but scored 21 goals in 37 Ligue 1 fixtures in 2022/23. Now, he wants to play regular first-team football in 23/24 but may struggle to at Arsenal. And Arteta making him train separately on Monday will not help.
Neither report claimed why Arteta made Balogun train away from his teammates as Arsenal began preparations for Thursday’s friendly with Barcelona. They only suggested that he was working with an individual coach. But Balogun has seemingly now responded to the reports.
Balogun now responds to the reports with a cryptic Twitter post
Following The Athletic’s report claiming that Balogun was training alone, the Arsenal striker shared a cryptic post on Twitter. He did not include any words, only a diamond emoji with a photo of him in action against the MLS All-Stars. He has a plain look on his face in the photo.
Balogun’s use of the image in a wordless post amid reports of Arteta making him train alone suggests the Arsenal gem may not agree with any suggestions that he was working alone for any worrying reason. He may have simply been training alone having suffered a minor injury.
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Fans may read more into Balogun training alone, though, given Inter Milan are exploring his transfer from Arsenal. Only time might tell if he is working separately for an honest reason.