'He Is Very, Very Talented' - Arsenal Captain Aubameyang Waxes Lyrical About Balogun

Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has nothing but praise for American-born striker of Nigerian descent Folarin Balogun despite his contract standoff with the Gunners.

The England U20 international has roughly eight months left on his contract with the Gunners and the club have attempted to convince him to stay by offering him a new deal which he has yet to sign as he knows he is not guaranteed a first team role.

A week after making his professional debut in the Europa League fixture vs Dundalk, Balogun was surprisingly omitted from the Arsenal matchday squad against Molde even though he was involved in their last training session.

"Flo Balogun was one of those who came on in the last game. He is very, very talented, for sure, and he shows every time he plays with us that he’s a really great talent," Aubameyang wrote in Arsenal's matchday programme.

"He works hard and is a humble guy as well. I love his style – he’s like an American rapper – he’s cool!

"We get on well, I don’t see him that much, but when he trains with us we have a laugh, with Laca as well.

Though Aubameyang is a jovial character, he stressed that he offers advice to Balogun and the up-and-coming players in the Arsenal ranks.

"Maybe I am a mentor now to these younger players when they watch me training or in the games.

"I will always try to advise them when I can, but I’m a guy who likes to do jokes first!" the Gunners number 14 added.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel