Folarin Balogun scored once again for Stade de Reims on Sunday, helping them to a 2-1 win over AJ Auxerre.

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Reims’ English forward Folarin Balogun (L) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Stade de Reims and RC Lens at Stade Auguste-Delaune in Reims, northern France on September 4, 2022. (Photo by DENIS CHARLET/AFP via Getty Images)

Folarin Balogun has perhaps been Arsenal’s standout loanee for the season so far, and the 21-year-old scored his seventh goal of the Ligue 1 season over the weekend.

With 27 minutes on the clock, Balogun raced in behind the Auxerre defence and latched onto a through ball, finishing into the bottom right-hand corner with his first touch.

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Auxerre equalised not long afterwards, but Reims secured the win with a goal from Junya Ito in the 87th minute.

There was some concern for Balogun as he came off with an apparent injury in the 90th minute. But it didn’t seem to be anything too serious, and given the state of the game at 2-1, it’s possible he was exaggerating the issue.

Reims will certainly hope he’s fit for their next game on Sunday, when they travel away to Stade Brestois 29.

Reims' English forward Folarin Balogun celebrates after scoring a penalty kick during the French L1 football match between Stade de Reims and Clermont Foot 63 at Stade Auguste-Delaune in Reims, northestern France, on August 14, 2022. (Photo by FRANCOIS LO PRESTI/AFP via Getty Images)
Reims’ English forward Folarin Balogun celebrates after scoring a penalty kick during the French L1 football match between Stade de Reims and Clermont Foot 63 at Stade Auguste-Delaune in Reims, north-eastern France, on August 14, 2022. (Photo by FRANCOIS LO PRESTI/AFP via Getty Images)

Balogun hasn’t gone more than two games without a goal this season so far, which has helped him to keep up with Ligue 1’s top scorers.

As it stands, Balogun is joint-fifth in the standings, three goals behind league leader Kylian Mbappe. The other three ahead of him are Neymar and Jonathan David (nine goals), and Terem Moffi (eight goals).

Balogun is level with Martin Terrier and former Gunner Alexandre Lacazette, though his goals-per-90 stat is better than either of them, as is his conversion rate.

With an assist and a penalty won on top of his seven goals in 12 games, the Arsenal striker has been a success in his first proper season of senior football in a top-five league.