Folarin Balogun won’t be available to face former club Arsenal with his new team on Wednesday night, having suffered an injury setback with Monaco.
Monaco's US forward #29 Folarin Balogun celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the French L1 football match between AS Monaco and Olympique de Marseille at the Louis II Stadium (Stade Louis II) in the Principality of Monaco on September 30, 2023. (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP) (Photo by VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images)
Photo by VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images
Just days ago, it looked like former Arsenal academy centre-forward Folarin Balogun would be fit to face his old club with AS Monaco in Wednesday’s Champions League clash at the Emirates Stadium.
Balogun had spent over a month out of action with a shoulder injury, but he made his return to the pitch as a substitute in Monaco’s last Champions League game against Benfica, then made a start against Marseille in Ligue 1.
Yet it now appears the striker suffered a setback in that shoulder injury during the Marseille clash.
NUREMBERG, GERMANY: Folarin Balogun of Arsenal FC controls the ball during the pre-season friendly match between 1. FC Nürnberg and Arsenal FC at Max-Morlock Stadion on July 13, 2023. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images
Balogun missed Monaco’s weekend game against Toulouse through injury, and he hasn’t travelled with the squad to London for Wednesday’s match against Arsenal.
It’s unclear at this stage how serious the setback is, but it’s evidently enough to keep him out of a return to the Emirates.
Denis Zakaria and Krepin Diatta are also absent from the squad through injury, and Wilfried Singo and Christian Mawissa are out through suspension.
Singo was sent off in the previous game against Benfica, whilst Mawissa picked up a one-game ban with his third yellow card in three Champions League appearances for the team.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 27: Folarin Balogun of United States celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the CONMEBOL Copa America USA 2024 Group C match between Panama and United States at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 27, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images
With Singo and Mawissa both out, Mohammed Salisu is likely to partner Thilo Kehrer in central defence. Salisu at least has experience against Arsenal, having faced the Gunners with Southampton in 2022/23.
The rest of the team should be relatively similar to the side that faced Toulouse at the weekend, with Majecki in goal, Vanderson and Caio Henrique at full-back, Camara, Matazo, and Minamino in midfield, Akliouche and Golovin on the wings, and Ilenikhena up front.
Possible changes to that team include Ben Seghir coming in for Golovin (he’s started four of Monaco’s five Champions League games so far), and Breel Embolo starting up front (he’s started all five).
Soungoutou Magassa may also come into the midfield, but he missed the game at the weekend so that might be a risk. If he does, he’d likely replace Matazo.
Predicted Monaco lineup vs Arsenal
Majecki, Vanderson, Salisu, Kehrer, Caio Henrique, Camara, Matazo, Minamino, Akliouche, Ben Seghir, Embolo
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