Folarin Balogun is running out of time. After just 60 minutes of football in pre-season with no goals or assists to show for it, the 22-year-old is not only well behind in his personal preparation but he continues to pale in comparison to his teammates.
Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard have all featured more across the frontline including multiple positions as part of a versatile attack. It’s a necessity of Mikel Arteta’s attack that his players bring more than just output to the side.
Jesus’ best skill is arguably the way he drags defenders out and creates space more than his still impressive ability to manufacture chances on the ball seemingly out of nothing. His deft touches and flicks look nice but it’s the role and positioning that makes it all possible.
Saka is a demon from out wide. He sticks the flanks and darts in before he can be stopped. Martinelli is explosive and proved himself to be a clinical forward last year even when moved into central areas. Trossard is extremely versatile and has operated from midfield.
Havertz is yet to find a set position in English football but Arteta’s most recent comments on him suggest that this isn’t an issue. “He has played the majority of the minutes as an attacking midfielder but he can play on the right, he has played as a winger, coming inside as a No9, as a false No9, so we will see,” he explained ahead of the Community Shield final.
