Injury Scare for Arsenal: Arsenal’s in-form player has just been diagnosed with foot injury and will be ruled out of action- Mikel Arteta reveals how severe and how long it will take to have him back- Player won’t train with team until full recovery
MIKEL ARTETA REVEALS ARSENAL STAR HAS BEEN UNAVAILABLE DUE TO A FOOT INJURY
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed that Folarin Balogun is currently unavailable for action due to a foot injury.
The USA international missed the game against Manchester United and was also not included in the squad that secured a 5-3 win over Barcelona earlier today.
Balogun played in the 5-0 victory against MLS All-Stars and fans had been wondering why he missed the next two games and was seen training separately from the rest of the squad this week.
The manager has revealed why the 22-year-old has not been available.
“He wasn’t available,” Arteta told reporters after the match against the La Liga side.
“He had a little foot injury and he hasn’t been training with us.”
Balogun has been constantly linked with an exit since he was on loan with Reims last term.
The Arsenal academy graduate ended his spell with the Ligue 1 club with 22 goals and is attracting clubs across Europe.
Inter Milan, AC Milan, Marseille and AS Monaco are all keen on the Gunners striker, but they have been told it would take around £50 million to recruit his services on a permanent basis.
None of his suitors have come forward with a bid, but Inter are expected to do so soon.
While Balogun is currently out with a knock, his transfer will still go ahead once an agreement can be found between Arsenal and an interested club.
He was hoping to use the pre-season to impress Arteta, but that has proven impossible after his unfortunate injury.
Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah remain ahead of the American in the pecking order, which is unlikely to change heading into the new season, with just one friendly game left.
Arsenal face AS Monaco on August 2 in the Emirates Cup before their FA Community Shield game against Manchester City on August 6.
They kick off the 2023-24 Premier League campaign on August 12 against Nottingham Forest and will be keen to begin the season on a victorious note.
