60 minutes. 21 touches. Two goals. One assist.
Folarin Balogun knows how to make an impact. Some would call it a breakthrough but he has yet to truly showcase his full credentials at Arsenal, as he once again impressed in a 28-minute cameo appearance against Dundalk on Thursday night.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been reluctant to start the New York-born youngster in the Europa League this season and he has yet to sign a contract extension, with his current deal expiring at the end of the campaign.
"Well we’re having some discussions with the player. He knows that we want to retain him at the club," said Arteta.
"We know that the length of his contract at the moment is an issue but we’re trying to resolve it the best possible way. We want him to stay.
"He said to me that he wants to stay at the club hopefully we can reach an agreement and extend his contract."
Balogun's appearances have limited perhaps due to the fact he hasn't signed a new contract. Arteta changed his mind on the striker over the summer when it initially looked like the 19-year-old was set to leave the club.
Interestingly, his agent Emeka Obasi has strong connections with Arsenal and has brought a lot of business to the team over the years.
Obasi's Elite Project Group boast some of the best young talent in Europe including Jadon Sancho and Arsenal's very own Bukayo Saka, who committed to a contract extension before the start of the season.
Reiss Nelson, Eddie Nketiah, Jonathan Dinzeyi as well as former Gunners in Chuba Akpom and Alex Iwobi are all under the wing of the agency, but it is Balogun who has yet to sign on the dotted line.
With the January transfer window a few weeks away from opening it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see Balogun wait until next month before making a firm decision on his future.
The impact he's made in such a short amount of time on the pitch is likely to have put him on the radar of many teams across Europe, who will be fully aware they can agree a pre-contract with him in January.
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown spoke after the 4-2 win over Dundalk and compared Balogun to Gunners legend Ian Wright.
"I am looking at him and thinking “remember the name” really with the way he looked tonight," said Keown.
"The way he linked up, that is a great turn. You try to compare, is it Andy Cole or Ian Wright? There is that sort of movement about him. I know those are big name players and if he can live up to that he will have some career.
"I just like the way he is always looking on the shoulder and his movement. The way he scores the goal, the way he comes onto it he is pointing, give me it, this is my moment.
"He has had to wait for his opportunity, he is 19 years old and showing really good signs."
Balogun has represented both England and USA at Under-18 level and as previously mentioned, will be able to sign a pre-contract with foreign clubs from January.
It's evident from the 60 minutes that he's played how assured he is on the ball. A dynamic, intelligent and technically astute forward who is capable of creating and scoring, Arsenal will be desperate to keep hold of Balogun just like they did with Saka last summer. The waiting game continues.
