Folarin Balogun sends Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta message after previous 'family' claims

Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun sent Gunners boss Mikel Arteta a message courtesy of his stunning hat-trick for Reims on Wednesday night - and it follows on from previous 'family' claims made by the England youth international.

Balogun was loaned out to the Ligue 1 side at the beginning of the season in order to gain valuable experience of top-level football. He spent the second half of last season on loan at Championship outfit Middlesbrough, but failed to hit regular goalscoring form.

This campaign, however, has been much different. Prior to last night's clash against Lorient, Balogun had netted 11 goals in just 19 Ligue 1 appearances - including a late equaliser away to PSG on Sunday.

The 21-year-old, who is managed by former Preston North End U14 coach Will Still, then took his tally to 14 with a superb hat-trick. He is now Ligue 1's top scorer this season, ahead of the likes of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe.

Still hasn't yet earned his Continental Pro Licence yet - and Reims are fined for every game he manages without one - but that hasn't stopped him from an incredible start to life in the club's managerial hotseat, having been appointed in September after years of experience built up as a video analyst and assistant.

And Gunners loanee Balogun is one of the players he has got the best out of.

The striker's first goal against Lorient came from the penalty spot, as he fired his spot kick down the centre of the net. He then showed his poacher's instinct as, unmarked, he got on the end of a deflected cross with a volley into the bottom corner from close range.

But his third goal was the pick of the bunch. Balogun was in the perfect position to get on the end of a lofted cross-field pass, firing in another volley into the bottom left corner in a goal reminiscent to the one Darwin Nunez scored for Liverpool in an FA Cup tie against Wolves last month.

Balogun's previous Arsenal comments

Speaking after his loan deal to Reims was confirmed, Balogun explained what Arteta had told him about moving away from Arsenal abroad on a temporary basis.

He said: "Before I moved, Mikel said he wanted me to develop as a man. It was kind of like an open answer and for me to interpret what he meant by 'develop as a man'.

"But by moving abroad, I'm starting to learn what he meant. It doesn't just mean on the pitch, but also off the pitch. I think, by the time I go back, I'll be in a better place to compete than I was before I left."

In a separate interview with L'Equipe, he said: "Arsenal is my family. For me, the club represents brotherhood and unity. There, I learned always to push my limits. I remember from the training the permanent desire to progress on a technical level."

Balogun will now hope to finish his loan spell strongly, before challenging for a first team spot back at the Emirates Stadium next season.