Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has revealed that injury has prevented young star Folarin Balogun from taking any significant part in Arsenalβs pre-season tour of the USA this summer after the USMNT striker was spotted training alone.
The future of the 22-year-old striker has been cause for debate this summer so far, with the attacker having already ruled out another loan move away from the club, meaning that he will either be integrated into the squad or sold this summer.
During his season on loan in Ligue 1 Balogun found the net an impressive 22 times as well as providing three assists, shooting himself into the spotlight of plenty of European sides in the process, and it is believed that Arsenal are holding out for a fee in the region of Β£50m for the youngster.
Arteta had previously that he will use the pre-season tour of Balogunβs new nation to come to a decision on the matter, but Balogun didnβt feature against Manchester United or Barcelona and was spotted undergoing solo training away from the main squad earlier in the week.
Washington, D.C, USA. 19th July, 2023. FOLARIN BALOGUN dribbles past HECTOR HERRERA during the 2023 MLS All-Star Game at Audi Field in Washington, DC Arsenal defeated the MLS All-Stars 5-0. (Credit Image: Β© Kyle Gustafson/ZUMA Press Wire) EDITORIAL USAGE 2RDC3KC Washington, D.C, USA. 19th July, 2023. FOLARIN BALOGUN dribbles past HECTOR HERRERA during the 2023 MLS All-Star Game at Audi Field in Washington, DC Arsenal defeated the MLS All-Stars 5-0. (Credit Image: Β© Kyle Gustafson/ZUMA Press Wire) EDITORIAL USAGE ONLY! Not for Commercial USAGE! (Alamy Stock Photo)
Quizzed on his absence, the Gunners boss revealed that it was an injury which has kept him out, and that playing him βwas a riskβ.
βHe wasnβt available. He had a foot injury and he hasnβt been training with us. It was a risk. We have to see, he has to be fit and available to play minutes.β
However, Arteta was confident that the influential Ukrainian would be back soon.
Alex [Zinchenko] he had a little muscular issue, I think he will be back soonβ, he told the media. βItβs a shame that he hasnβt been with us (on the pitch).β
Record signing Declan Rice also missed the clash with Xaviβs side after what was described as βa strong kickβ in training, but there is confidence that he will not miss any further pre-season action.