(Pictured) Teenage Nigerian Striker Trains With Arsenal First Team Ahead Of Trip To Olympiakos

Published: February 19, 2020

Teenage Nigeria-eligible striker Folarin Balogun was promoted to first team training ahead of Arsenal's trip to Greece, where they face Olympiakos in the round of 32 of the Europa League on Thursday night, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

Gunners first team coach Mikel Arteta monitored the Hale End Academy graduate at close quarters in today's workout at London Colney with a view to including him in the traveling party to Athens.

Balogun, 18, is inching closer to making his professional debut, having trained with the first team on multiple occasions including before their last Europa League meeting against Standard Liege.

He regularly spearheads the attack for Arsenal U23 team, for whom he scored seven goals in 13 games despite spending few weeks on the sidelines due to injury.

Balogun's prolific goalscoring form was showcased during the 2018-2019 campaign when he racked up 28 goals in 28 games for Arsenal's youth teams across all competitions.

The New York born center forward was in the 18 when Arsenal thrashed Nottingham Forest 5-0 in a League Cup tie back in September 2019.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : arsenal.com