01 September 2023 , 16:24
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Folarin Balogun has explained how Arsenal hero Thierry Henry has been keeping a watchful eye over the wonderkid's progress despite him joining Monaco.
The United States international has departed North London permanently this summer in favour of a move back to Ligue 1, where he spent last season on loan. His future had been up in the air for most of pre-season before the principality outfit stumped up the £40million fee for his services.
Although the 22-year-old has left the team he has represented since he was a boy, it appears that Gunners legend Henry is keen to keep tabs on the youngster. In fact, the pair have struck up a close relationship in recent times and the France icon has been on hand to offer words of advice.
The two-time US international revealed that the two-time Premier League victor opened up on his experience of playing for Monaco. Henry, of course, represented the club in both a playing and managerial capacity, having first emerged on the professional scene on the Cote d'Azur.
Speaking with The Athletic after sealing his move to the Louis II Stadium, Balogun went into detail about the ongoing correspondence he has had with the Highbury hero. He said: "After we (Reims) played here he contacted me to congratulate me on my game. I knew he had played here and he told me a bit about the club and that it’s a beautiful place.
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"That was it, really. But even after my first training session here (yesterday), he texted to say congratulations on the move. It’s a good feeling to have the support of someone like him."
In a wide-ranging interview, the emerging youngster also explored his reasons behind seeking a move away from Arsenal following his breakout season at Stade Reims. The young forward notched 22 times in all competitions under Will Still's tutelage in the previous term.
Folarin Balogun participated in pre-season activities with Arsenal but was eventually deemed surplus to requirements. (ISI Photos/Getty Images)He said: "I believe that you get the best results in life when you’re not comfortable. So that’s why I’ve taken myself out of my comfort zone, away from my family and friends, to improve as a player.
Explaining that he is aware he will still face a fight for a starting berth at Monaco, given the strength of options at manager Adi Hutter's disposal, he added: "There was competition at Arsenal and I wouldn’t expect to come to another top club and not face competition.
"But for me [Ben Yedder] is a legend and I’m looking forward to playing alongside him and learning from him. I expect to produce here and a lot of the pressure is internal. Obviously, the price tag brings expectations, but I’m not afraid of that."