Balogun

Folarin Balogun is flourishing in France after joining Reims on loan from Arsenal - scoring more league goals than Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus combined ...

"He needed a pathway, he needs that exposure. I remember from training the permanent desire to progress on a technical level." This is going to give us more detail about what is the next best move for him to keep developing... Balogun was spotted talking to Arsenal legend Thierry Henry ahead of Reims' 1-1 draw against Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday night. "Before I moved, Mikel said he wanted me to develop as a man," said Balogun told reporters last September. I realised there were certain things I would struggle with, but I think that’s a good thing. "It doesn't just mean on the pitch but also off the pitch. Arteta sent Balogun to Reims to mature as a player and there is no questioning his improvement. There, I learned always to push my limits. Balogun's scoring exploits mark a splendid turnaround for the youngster. He said: "Arsenal is my family. Reims recovered from two goals down after Balogun found the net three times at the Stade Auguste-Delaune II.

Reims' Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun went one better than Kylian Mbappé atop the scorers chart with a hat-trick in the 4-2 win over Lorient.

However, Fonseca would have been hoping for better than just the five (of 23) shots on target the his side conjured against their tough-defending visitors, even though the point was enough for Les Dogues to climb to sixth place. Young Senegalese striker Abdallah Sima lit home hopes of a result when he opened the scoring (13'), and they lasted until the hour-mark, but newly signed forward Moussa Soumano levelled (65') and, after Angers left-back Souleyman Doumbia was given his marching orders for a dangerous tackle (78'), Mounaïm El-Idrissy dashed Angers' hopes of a point in the dying seconds (90'+4). Diouf was beaten 26 minutes later, when Ibrahima Koné broke out of midfield and slapped a powerful shot in from the edge of the box (36'). A superb strike from Kamory Doumbia levelled matters early in the second half (51') as Still's men took control of the match, never to let it go. Their ten-match streak looked in danger as in-form [Lorient](https://www.ligue1.com/clubs?id=fc-lorient) came calling at the Stade Auguste-Delaune on Wednesday, but a star turn from Folarin Balogun more than turned the tide. Igor Tudor's men dominated their hosts, but it wasn't until just before the hour-mark that their pressure paid off. The 21-year-old striker is going from strength to strength. [Angers SCO](https://www.ligue1.com/clubs?id=angers-sco), who fell to an 18th defeat of the season as visiting [Ajaccio](https://www.ligue1.com/clubs?id=ac-ajaccio) came from behind for the 2-1 shot in the arm for the survival hopes. [OM](https://www.ligue1.com/clubs?id=olympique-de-marseille) midfielder [Azzedine Ounahi](https://www.ligue1.com/player?id=azz-eddine-ounahi) had a debut to remember as Les Olympiens made the long - and ultimately victorious - trip to [Nantes](https://www.ligue1.com/clubs?id=fc-nantes). [Thijs Dallinga](https://www.ligue1.com/player?id=thijs-jacco-jan-dallinga) was at it again on Wednesday, striking (16') to pave the way for a fourth win in an unbeaten run of five for Philippe Montanier's side. [Junya Ito](https://www.ligue1.com/player?id=junya-ito) conjured a trademark cross - which was cut out at the last minute - but Balogun pounced with a first-time shot that enjoyed a brief appointment with the post before crashing into the back of the net to give Reims the lead for the first time in the match (61'). After scoring a late equaliser away to PSG in Round 20, Balogun showed plenty of confidence as he hit his penalty up the middle (44') and keen positioning and finishing skills when he followed up with a pair of first-time finishes in the space of three minutes (61', 64').

Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun enhanced his burgeoning reputation last night with a sensational hat-trick in Reims' comeback win over Lorient.

[London](https://metro.co.uk/tag/london/?ico=auto_link_sport_P3_LNK1) club with his contract winding down and little prospect of first team opportunities. Hopefully it will be weeks and not months but it was a serious injury and we need to respect that process as well.’ ‘He’s pushing and driving everyone to the limits. [check our sport page](https://metro.co.uk/sport/). [Kylian Mbappe](https://metro.co.uk/tag/kylian-mbappe/?ico=auto_link_sport_P2_LNK1) and [Lionel Messi](https://metro.co.uk/tag/lionel-messi/?ico=auto_link_sport_P2_LNK2) in his wake. [Privacy Policy](https://metro.co.uk/privacypolicy/)

Reims' Folarin Balogun bagged a hat-trick against Lorient on Wednesday afternoon, making him Ligue 1 top scorer with 14 goals in just 18 starts.

He scores, he is decisive.” "He is able to play with his back to goal, in depth. It is technically very clean.