Arsenal youngster Folarin Balogun wasted little time in providing onlookers with a reminder of his predatory instincts in front of goal on Friday evening.

Hitman Balogun is currently locked in action with England’s U21s.

The Young Lions have welcomed minnows Andorra to the Vitality Stadium, for a crunch showdown amid ongoing efforts to secure a place at the European Championships.

And, as things stand, it is indeed the hosts who lead, owing to a strike on the part of the aforementioned Balogun.

The evening’s opener arrived with just five minutes on the clock, as a surge down the right on the part of Tino Livramento saw the Southampton stopper’s pull-back slotted home in style by striker Balogun:

Championship opportunity

Balogun, of course, is currently in the midst of a loan spell away from Arsenal.

Having found game-time difficult to come by amid competition from Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah across the opening half of the campaign, it was decided that a temporary stint in the Championship would best aid his development.

Balogun, in turn, linked up with Middlesbrough.

And the 20-year-old has since gone on to enjoy a far more fruitful spell at the Riverside Stadium, racking up twelve league appearances, half of which have come in the form of starts.

He has too managed to contribute in front of goal, adding two goals in his last four appearances after laying on the same number of assists over the early weeks of his Boro spell.

 

‘Intention is to count on him for 2023/24’: Arsenal tipped to replace Mikel Arteta with Brazilian tactician

Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli responds to Brazil international bow