Arsenal’s latest star continues to shine as on loan striker Folarin Balogun netted a 20 minute hat-trick to move clear of Kylian Mbappe at the top of the goalscoring charts in Ligue 1 midway through the season.
The 21-year-old is spending the season on loan with Stade des Reims, who have hit the headlines recently for their employment of English manager Will Still, a non-UEFA qualified coach who has guided them to 12 games unbeaten.
That record was under threat as they quickly fell behind to high-flying Lorient, however, with goals from Enzo Le Fee and Ibrahima Kone leaving them 2-0 down midway through the first half.
As he has done for much of the season, however, Balogun brought his side back into proceedings, converting a penalty a minute before half time to halve the deficit.
Balogun on target yet again for Reims tonight pic.twitter.com/OWBY9y5rYb
— Renato (@rehnato) February 1, 2023
And after Karomy Doumbia had levelled things up for the hosts, Balogun stole the limelight again, grabbing two goals in 3 minutes to put his side 4-2 up, and ensure that they took home the three points to move up Ligue 1.
It was his third that really caught the eye, however, with an excellent first time left-footed volley into the corner taking him top of the Ligue 1 goalscoring charts, and third in Europe’s goalscoring charts behind only Premier League pair Erling Haaland and Harry Kane.
Balogun’s third goal tonight! 🔥 https://t.co/NdOrOHOfTM
— Eduardo Hagn (@EduardoHagn) February 1, 2023
Should he be sold, he could net the Gunners a tidy fee, with the striker on course to hit 25 goals in his first full season in top flight football.
