Arteta Gives His Reason Behind Balogun's Omission From Recent Arsenal Matchday Squads

Published: January 21, 2021

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta faced the cameras on Thursday ahead of his side's trip to Southampton for the fourth round of the Emirates FA Cup and one of the areas he touched upon was Balogun's omission from recent matchday squads.

The teenage striker has not been included in Arsenal's last six matchday squads despite the Football Association and Premier League permitting up to nine substitutes to be named on the bench.

Allnigeriasoccer.com reported with certainty that Arsenal have no intention of handing Balogun minutes unless he signs on the dotted line but Arteta has played down the report, saying that his lack of appearances is not related to his contract situation and he has trained with the first team several times.

On why Balogun has not been in Arsenal matchday squads, Arteta was quoted as saying by arsenal.com : "Because of the competition we have now and because there are other players that haven’t had many minutes and they’ve played in the FA Cup. It takes time.

"We have to respect that with Eddie, he’s not been playing a lot recently as well and he’s in front of him at the moment and we have to be calm and respectful".

Arteta concluded by saying that Balogun has not spoken about agreeing a deal to leave the Emirates Stadium.

The England U20 international has approximately five months left on his contract with the Gunners.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : arsenal.com

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