Ex-Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey tells Mikel Arteta Folarin Balogun is ready to shine after his loan move

FOLARIN BALOGUN is ready to shine for Arsenal in the Premier League
Liga after brilliant performance in Reims.

The forward scored 21 goals in Ligue 1 last season – and he doesn’t want that
another loan from the Emirates.

2

2

Ex-Gunners star and Nice midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who faced Balogun twice in France last season, thinks manager Mikel Arteta should keep the 21-year-old.

Balogun – who has attracted interest from West Ham, Crystal Palace and RB Leipzig – joined the United States to represent England in May but Ramsey doesn’t want the £35m striker to make a move as well.

The star has signed a two-year contract with Arsenal and is expected to return for pre-season next month.

Ramsey said: “He’s a very good player. We’ve played him a few times and from what I’ve seen he’s a very exciting player.

“Arsenal have a lot of great players but he definitely has the quality. He’s good enough for the Premier League.”

Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus has scored 11 goals in 33 Arsenal games after joining from Manchester City for £45m and Eddie Nketiah has nine goals in 39 games in all competitions.

The Gunners, meanwhile, have agreed a £65m deal for Chelsea’s Kai Havertz
Arteta’s side, who finished second in last season’s Prem, are also struggling against City for Hammers star Declan Rice.

But Rambo – who won the FA Cup three times with the Gunners in 2014, 2015 and 2017 – thinks the fact that they’ve tied stars Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli to new long-term deals is just as important as transfers.

BETTING SPECIAL – BEST UK SPORTS BETTING APPS

Influential defender William Saliba, 22, has also agreed in principle to a new deal to remain in north London.

The strategy differs from Rambo’s 11-year spell at Arsenal
The club lost key players like Robin van Persie, Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Alexis Sanchez.

Ramsey, 32, added: “Getting them involved is massive. They’ve had incredible seasons and it’s great that they’re still around and hopefully can bounce back.”

Ramsey reflects on his own future and says he would like to rejoin
Youth club Cardiff “a day” after failing to agree on a new contract in Nice.

Talks between Ramsey and the French club are ongoing, but the
The Wales captain ruled out a game against Saudi Arabia.

Asked if a big-money move to Saudi Arabia would be of interest, Ramsey said at the opening of Cruyff Court Aaron Ramsey at Trinity Fields School, near his hometown of Caerphilly: “No, there’s a lot more to do .” go ahead before that.”

“I enjoy my free time with my family and we will make the right decision together.”

“There are a number of talks to be held in the coming weeks.

“It was incredible what Nice gave me last year and the opportunity I had to represent them. They gave me a lot of playing time.”

“Of course I have a lot of respect for it and we’ll see what happens in the next few weeks.”

Gulf state Saudi Arabia is threatening to gain a foothold in Europe’s bigger leagues by signing big-name players this summer.

But Ramsey, who spent three years at Juventus and won Serie A there, reckons they still have some way to go before they face teams like Serie A.

Ramsey said: “Serie A has been a very demanding league. There was a lot of quality and a lot of big European teams.”

“It’s a very competitive and difficult league. The Italian teams definitely had a good season. They had three teams in European finals and Napoli won Serie A.”

“Meanwhile, there are many teams in Italy that can compete at the highest level in Europe.

“Of course, these leagues have been established for a very long time.”