Arsenal confirm second January departure
After Ainsley Maitland-Niles joined AS Roman on loan from the rest of the season, Arsenal have now announced their second departure of the winter window.
The Gunners have confirmed that Folarin Balogun has joined Middlesbrough on loan for the rest of 2021/22.
Wishing you all the best, @Balogun ?
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 12, 2022
Middlesbrough will reportedly cover just 15 per cent of the striker’s wages:
Official and confirmed. Folarin Balogun leaves Arsenal to join Middlesbrough on loan until the end of the season, club statement announces. ?? #AFC
Middlesbrough will cover 15% of his salary. #Boro
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 12, 2022
And whilst Balogun going out on loan to get some much-needed first-team action is a must for the Englishman, a move to Middlesbrough may not be the best thing for him.
Chris Wilder recently took over the North East outfit and has improved their form a great deal.
In Wilder’s system, Boro start two strikers. However, Andraz Sporar is a nailed-on starter for one of those spots.
Elsewhere, Middlesbrough have been using Duncan Watmore and Onel Hernandez as strikers under Wilder fairly successfully. The Teessiders also have natural centre-forwards Uche Ikpeazu and Aaron Connolly – just signed on loan from Brighton – competing for that final spot.
So, though Balogun will likely prove a useful asset for Middlesbrough, he may not get the minutes Arsenal fans are hoping for.
Arteta on Eddie Nketiah
Elsewhere, despite having just six months to run on his current contract, Mikel Arteta confirmed on Wednesday that Eddie Nketiah is staying at the Emirates:
“The situation is that Eddie is our player and he’s going to stay here with us.”
This suggests Arsenal will lose him for free in the summer, unless they can pin him down to a new deal.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea live streaming: Watch Carabao Cup semi-final second leg online
