Why Folarin Balogun wanted to leave Arsenal?

Folarin Balogun, the USMNT forward who joined AS Monaco from Arsenal this summer, has opened up about his reasons for making the switch. The 21-year-old had a stellar season on loan at Reims last term, scoring 21 goals in Ligue 1 and attracting interest from several clubs across Europe. However, he decided to return to France and join Monaco, who paid €40 million (£34m/$43m) to Arsenal for his services.

Balogun, who was born in New York but grew up in London, admitted that it was not an easy decision to leave his boyhood club, but he felt that he needed a new challenge and a fresh environment.

“I believe that you get the best results in life when you’re not comfortable,” he told The Athletic. “I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and experience something different. I think Monaco is a great club with a lot of ambition and history. They have a good project and a good coach who believes in me.”

Balogun also revealed that he was looking forward to playing alongside Monaco’s captain and top scorer, Wissam Ben Yedder, who he described as a “legend.”

“He is a great player and a great person. He has been very welcoming and supportive of me since I arrived. I think we can form a good partnership and help the team achieve our goals. I’m here to learn from him and also to contribute with my qualities,” he said.

Balogun, who made his senior debut for the USMNT in June 2023, scoring in a friendly against Jamaica, said he was proud to represent his country and hoped to be part of the squad for the 2026 World Cup.

“It’s an honor to play for the USMNT. It’s a very exciting time for American soccer, with a lot of young talent coming through. I think we have a bright future, and I want to be part of it. The World Cup in 2026 is a big motivation for me, and I will work hard to make it happen,” he said.