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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admits the club had had some “difficult months” with forward Folarin Balogun following speculation about his future at the Emirates.
The forward appeared ready to leave the club last summer after refusing to sign a new contract with the Gunners.
Brentford and Aston Villa were linked to the 19-year-old, who has no contract at the end of the season.
However, Arteta has made it clear that he wants Balogun to stay and the forward scored with just his second touch as the Gunners booked their place in the Europa League round of 16 with a 3-0 win over Molde on Thursday. .
Speaking after the game, Arteta confessed that it has been a ‘difficult’ moment for him and the forward, but reiterated that he wants him to sign a new contract.
‘He had some difficult months with all the speculation around him, he has handled the situation in a really mature way.
He wants to stay, we want him to stay. We gave him the opportunity and he took it right away ”.
Arsenal’s victory means they will lead the pack and now they can afford to fully rest the first team players heading into the last two games against Dundalk and Rapid Vienna.
The Gunners face the Wolves at the Emirates on Sunday and Arteta hopes David Luiz will be fit after he is withdrawn as a precaution in Norway.
‘Is [artificial] Surface brings a few different challenges for some players who had body issues and it’s quite aggressive to play with, ” Arteta said.
MORE: Arsenal target Houssem Aouar punished by Lyon after refusing to warm up
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