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Arsenal star Folarin Balogun claims he could be an Olympian in a second sport other than football

Home> Football

Updated 16:00 22 Mar 2023 GMTPublished 11:13 22 Mar 2023 GMT

Arsenal star Folarin Balogun claims he could be an Olympian in a second sport other than football

Football got in the way.

Joe Adams

Joe Adams

Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun could pursue a career away from the football pitch after joking he has the talent to play another sport at Olympic level.

Balogun has been in electric form on loan at French side Reims this season, helping himself to 17 goals in Ligue 1.

Mikel Arteta faces a difficult decision to make on the 21-year-old's future when he returns from loan, with the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah seemingly ahead of him in the pecking order.

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Whilst the forward is expected to have a whole host of top European clubs ready to pounce if he becomes available.

But should he find himself at a loose end, Balogun has an Olympic career to fall back on.

"I could play at Olympic level"

Speaking in an interview with Sky Sports, Balogun revealed that if he didn't have a ball at a feet, he would have a paddle in his hand, joking he could go to the very top.

"I'm very, very good at ping pong. We have one [a table] here and honestly, I think I could play it at Olympic level," Balogun said, tongue-in-cheek.

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"I'm honestly that good, I've made a lot of money with a few bets, but yeah, I'm really, really good."

His prolific form has led to calls for him to be promoted to England's senior squad. However, Gareth Southgate decided against including the Arsenal man, opting for Brentford's Ivan Toney instead.

Balogun was called up to the Under-21 side, but has since pulled out with an injury. Although his withdrawal has sparked confusion considering he played all 90 minutes in Reims' last match against Marseille, which saw him score in a 3-1 defeat.

The news comes following mass speculation surrounding his international future, with the striker also eligible to play for both the United States and Nigeria.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, Football, Premier League

Joe Adams
Joe Adams

Joe is a Journalist for SPORTbible with a primary focus on football. He has previously covered a number of other sports including boxing, rugby and F1. Wishes he was born left-footed.

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@joeadamsjourno

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