One of Arsenal's brightest young talents was convinced to leave by Lacazette and Pepe

Arsenal youngster Folarin Balogun has revealed that he was advised to leave the club on loan by Alexandre Lacazette and Nicolas Pepe.

Balogun is currently at Ligue 1 side Reims on a temporary arrangement, who play in the same division as both Lacazette and Pepe.

Lacazette was released by the Gunners on a free transfer this summer, rejoining former club Lyon. Pepe, meanwhile, is still on Arsenal's books but is on loan at Nice.

Balogun has impressed in the top division of French football, having netted eight goals in 15 Ligue 1 appearances. There were even reports that he may be recalled by Arsenal as cover following Gabriel Jesus' injury, but Fabrizio Romano has since said that there have been no discussions over whether to take up the recall option.

This is currently the strongest senior campaign of Balogun's career, the player having spent part of last season on loan at Middlesbrough.

He netted three goals and provided three assists in 18 Championship appearances for Chris Wilder's side, but only started two of the final eight games of his loan spell.

Balogun is enjoying his time in France - and he has now revealed who played a small role in the loan move.

Balogun credits Lacazette, Pepe for Arsenal loan move

Speaking to The Athletic, the 21-year-old explained: "I spoke to Laca and Nico before making the move.

"Laca told me he thinks it's a good league for me, and that I needed to start playing. Then Laca left, and I spoke to Nico when we were in America on the pre-season tour.

"He could see during that time I was bit upset because I wasn't playing. He just said to stay positive, keep working hard and then he said to maybe think about a loan to the French league.

"[He said] 'I'm sure you can do well in this league if you apply yourself'. He set me a challenge of getting 10 goals in the league and said, 'If you do that, you've made progress'.

"He just gave me a lot of encouragement ... Later on, I heard the interest from France, and I'm sure what he said was in the back of my mind somewhere."

Balogun is just two strikes away from the goal Pepe set him earlier in the year, and he will hope to achieve it quickly once Reims' Ligue 1 campaign resumes after the World Cup on December 29.

Topics: Arsenal, Transfers, Nicolas Pepe, Alexandre Lacazette, Premier League, Ligue 1

Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.