Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun put in another statement performance to score a brace and hit double figures for Ligue 1 goals on Thursday.

Reims' midfielder Folarin Balogun celebrates after scoring a penalty during the French L1 football match between Stade de Reims and FC Nantes at the Auguste-Delaune stadium in Reims, northern France on November 6, 2022. (Photo by FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI/AFP via Getty Images)
Reims’ midfielder Folarin Balogun celebrates after scoring a penalty during the French L1 football match between Stade de Reims and FC Nantes at the Auguste-Delaune stadium in Reims, northern France on November 6, 2022. (Photo by FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI/AFP via Getty Images)

Making his 16th appearance and his 13th start for Stade de Reims, Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun helped his loan side return from the World Cup break with a bang this week against Stade Rennais.

Within just six minutes, Balogun had given Reims the lead, finding space in the box before volleying home impressively.

https://twitter.com/btsportfootball/status/1608526090464550913

Reims doubled their lead midway through the half, but Rennes pulled one back just before half-time.

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With the game in the balance for much of the second half, Balogun secured the three points with a close-range header after a fortuitous deflection fell his way.

https://twitter.com/btsportfootball/status/1608550503759093766

That goal was Balogun’s 10th of the season, meaning he’s currently scoring at a rate of a goal every 116.5 minutes in Ligue 1 – his first full season in one of Europe’s top leagues.

Across Europe’s top seven divisions, Squawka report that Balogun is now the leading u21 scorer, ahead of the likes of Goncalo Ramos, Jamal Musiala, and Xavi Simons.

Reims striker Folarin Balogun (R) celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Troyes and Reims on October 2, 2022, at the Aube Stadium in Troyes. (Photo by FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI/AFP via Getty Images)
Reims striker Folarin Balogun (R) celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Troyes and Reims on October 2, 2022, at the Aube Stadium in Troyes. (Photo by FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI/AFP via Getty Images)

Balogun’s latest performance was noted in the media, with L’Equipe awarding him an 8/10. Notoriously harsh with their player ratings, an eight is an impressive score to receive from the French outlet.

WhoScored gave Balogun an 8.5, the highest rating any Ligue 1 player received this week, and included him in their Team of the Week.

The Arsenal goalscorer has had an excellent first half of the campaign with Reims, now he’ll be looking to build on that in 2023.

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