Balogun Plays His First Game In Domestic Competitions As Arsenal Continue Poor Run Of Form

Published: December 23, 2020

Arsenal have bowed out of the Carabao Cup at the quarterfinal stage, losing 4-1 to Manchester City - winners of the competition for the last three seasons - at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.

In the end Pep Guardiola's side earned a comprehensive victory over the Gunners; Gabriel Jesus sent them on their way very early on before Alexandre Lacazette equalised just past the half-hour mark.

Riyad Mahrez's free-kick was fluffed by goalkeeper Runar Alex Runarsson to put City 2-1 up in the 55th minute before Phil Foden scored three minutes later and Aymeric Laporte wrapped up the scoring with City's fourth with seventeen minutes remaining.

With the outcome of the game all but decided, manager Mikel Arteta brought on Folarin Balogun to replace Arsenal's sole goalscorer Lacazette in the 77th minute.

It was the teenager's first appearance for Arsenal in a domestic competition, having made four appearances off the bench in this season's Europa League.

Balogun didn't make any impact because he was starved of service and in the closing minutes Nicolas Pepe wasted a chance to reduce the deficit when he opted to shoot instead of passing to the Anglo-Nigerian who was in a better position to score.

Arsenal will be aiming to end their long, poor run of form when they host London neighbors Chelsea in the Premier League on Boxing Day.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : arsenal.com

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