Photo: Balogun in attendance at Emirates Stadium as Arsenal lose to Everton amid protest by fans

Published: April 23, 2021

American-born Nigerian striker Folarin Balogun surprisingly missed out on the matchday 20 as Arsenal were beaten 1-0 by Everton in a Premier League match on Friday night.

The England U20 international had been a candidate to be included on the matchday roster, with strikers Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alex Lacazette unavailable for selection due to illness and a hamstring issue respectively.

Reiss Nelson, Willian and Martinelli were the attackers and wingers picked ahead of Balogun in the matchday squad.

Football.London's Kaya Kaynak has uploaded a picture via Twitter confirming that Balogun was at the Emirates Stadium tonight but was not among the nine substitutes, meaning the Hale End Academy product watched the game from the stands as the '21st player'.

The 19-year-old was spotted training with the Gunners first team several times this week.

Hundreds of Arsenal fans protested in front of the Emirates Stadium before and after kickoff, calling for owner Stan Kroenke to depart the club following the European Super League scandal.

An own goal by goalkeeper Bernd Leno broke the deadlock on 76 minutes, the German diverted Richarlison's cross-shot into his own net.

Nigeria international Alex Iwobi watched proceedings from the Everton bench for the entirety of the game.

Everton and Arsenal remain in eighth and ninth place respectively in the Premier League table but the Toffees are only one point behind city rivals Liverpool.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : Football. London

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