Both grown-ups from Arsenal, both fell into disgrace at the Emirates, but Folarin Balogun and Emile Smith Rowe have entered two different paths in the 2023 summer market.
From the beginning, Arsenal did not see Balogun as a factor in Mikel Arteta’s plans. The impressive performance of the striker born in 2001 last season is just a factor that makes it easy for Arsenal to shout high prices for “house chickens”. The fee of more than 40 million euros for a player who has never shined at Arsenal from AS Monaco is a number that makes the Gunners satisfied.
Balogun left Arsenal while Smith Rowe stayed at the Emirates.
If Arsenal gets money, Balogun has the opportunity to play regularly in the 2023/24 season. He used to sublimate in Ligue 1 in Reims’ shirt, so in a stronger rated Monaco, Balogun has enough elements to continue to explode. In the short-term, leaving Arsenal for Monaco may be a step backwards for the American striker, but considering the long-term future, as long as Balogun maintains his high form, he will be at the door to join another top club. European.
Balogun’s immediate career is okay, not in a deadlock like Smith Rowe. Smith Rowe no longer has a place at Arsenal since he was injured last season. Reappearing later in the 2022/23 season, the midfielder born in 2000 is also not used. He did appear on the field, but they all started on the bench.
That raises the question of whether the 23-year-old star will leave the Emirates. However, everything is difficult in the context that Chelsea is about to successfully recruit Cole Palmer. Most importantly, Mikel Arteta always affirmed that he had a plan for his student.
That seemed to bring a catalyst and motivation to help Smith Rowe feel secure about the future, but the reality is extremely harsh for number 10. In the first 3 rounds of the 2023/24 Premier League, Smith Rowe was not included. yard for a minute. Against Fulham, when Arsenal needed to find a goal, Arteta trusted Fabio Vieira. The fact that the Portuguese player left his mark with an assist will make Smith Rowe even more worried about his performance.
Balogun has a chance to start regularly, but Smith Rowe is stuck at Arsenal.
What happened shows that Smith Rowe is having to get used to the reserve position, which means he will have less opportunity to play. Although Balogun left the Emirates, he was definitely given a starting spot. That story is much better than Smith Rowe, who stayed at a bigger club but had to sadly wait for opportunities from the sidelines.
During the recent England national team call-up, Smith Rowe continued to be ignored. When EURO 2024 will take place next summer, Smith Rowe no longer has time to build trust with coach Gareth Southgate.
Therefore, seeing Balogun being allowed to leave in the context of Smith Rowe’s continued stay at the Emirates, public opinion can see how deadlocked No 10’s career is.
Lu Feng | 20:55 August 31, 2023
