Folarin Balogun has praised Alexandre Lacazette for his influence on the Arsenal youngster in training and in making his loan move to Ligue 1 this season.

Folarin Balogun opted to move to Ligue 1 on loan this summer, joining Stade de Reims.

It was certainly a step outside the striker’s comfort zone, as a young player who has only ever played in England. But he wasn’t the only Arsenal centre-forward to move to France this summer, with Alexandre Lacazette joining Lyon on a free transfer.

Speaking to the media about his former teammate, Balogun had a lot of praise for Lacazette’s influence on him in training, adding that the former Gunner also played a part in his move to Reims.

“He’s a great player,” Balogun said. “He always helped me when I was at Arsenal, he tried to help me progress. He gave me advice.

“I remember talking to him, he was telling me to come to Ligue 1. He was like, ‘Go ahead, you’re going to prove yourself there.’

“Maybe he should become an agent because he has a good knowledge of football.”

The loan is certainly going well so far, with Balogun scoring five goals, assisting one, and winning two penalties in just six appearances.

That puts the striker joint-third in the Ligue 1 top scorer list this season, ahead of Lacazette himself.

If Balogun’s loan continues to go to plan, he’ll surely be grateful to Lacazette for the advice.