Arsenal proven right after rejecting £5m Folarin Balogun bid in January

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Folarin Balogun may still be awaiting the chance to make his first-team debut for Arsenal, but there is no question that the striker is proving a point after reports linked him with a move away from the Emirates during the January transfer window.

Balogun had bagged seven goals in Premier League 2 when the window arrived. And that helped prompt Brentford to make a bid in a season that they hope will culminate in promotion to the top flight.

The Daily Mail reported towards the end of the window that the Bees had made a £5 million bid for the 18-year-old, with add-ons also being included in the move.

Arsenal rejected the bid.

And while he continues to await the chance to make his first-team bow, he has since shown exactly why the Gunners did not seem to be tempted by Brentford’s offer.

Balogun has scored five goals in his last three appearances for the under-23s, with his latest two goals coming in the dramatic 4-3 win over Monaco on Tuesday night.

He also bagged a brace against Manchester City and scored another against Chelsea. So he has certainly impressed against some excellent opposition.

Of course, it looks to be a big ask for Balogun to make his first-team debut before the end of the campaign.

Arsenal have a frightening amount of depth up front. And Eddie Nketiah has added to Arteta’s headache with his form since returning from a loan spell in January.

But Balogun is showing that he is also one to look out for. It is already looking like an incredibly smart decision to turn Brentford away after they came calling in January.