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Watch: Arsenal youngster overtakes Kylian Mbappe with latest star showing


Arsenal’s latest star continues to shine as on loan striker Folarin Balogun netted a 20 minute hat-trick to move clear of Kylian Mbappe at the top of the goalscoring charts in Ligue 1 midway through the season.

The 21-year-old is spending the season on loan with Stade des Reims, who have hit the headlines recently for their employment of English manager Will Still, a non-UEFA qualified coach who has guided them to 12 games unbeaten.

That record was under threat as they quickly fell behind to high-flying Lorient, however, with goals from Enzo Le Fee and Ibrahima Kone leaving them 2-0 down midway through the first half.

As he has done for much of the season, however, Balogun brought his side back into proceedings, converting a penalty a minute before half time to halve the deficit.

And after Karomy Doumbia had levelled things up for the hosts, Balogun stole the limelight again, grabbing two goals in 3 minutes to put his side 4-2 up, and ensure that they took home the three points to move up Ligue 1.

It was his third that really caught the eye, however, with an excellent first time left-footed volley into the corner taking him top of the Ligue 1 goalscoring charts, and third in Europe’s goalscoring charts behind only Premier League pair Erling Haaland and Harry Kane.

Out of contract in 2025 as it stands, Balogun continues to impress and will leave Arsenal with a decision to make come the summer, with both Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus seemingly ahead of him in the striker pecking order.

Should he be sold, he could net the Gunners a tidy fee, with the striker on course to hit 25 goals in his first full season in top flight football.

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Ben Browning

Ben Browning

Football writer and analyst. Long-time writer of all things Arsenal and avid watcher of European football. Happy to discuss all things football over on Twitter.


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