Former Arsenal midfielder Steve Morrow has outlined the key qualities that striker Folarin Balogun would bring to the first-team if Mikel Arteta was to hand him a run in the side.
Balogun is considered as one of the most highly-rated prospects within the Gunners' academy and was the subject of interest from both Sheffield United and Brentford last summer.
The 19-year-old, who is out-of-contract at the Emirates Stadium this summer, has been handed opportunities to showcase his talents at senior level this season, but those outings have not come as frequently as he would have hoped for.
In total, the striker, who captained the Under-23s during their 2-2 draw with Chelsea on Friday night, has made five appearances for Arteta's side, four of which have come in the UEFA Europa League, which did include two goals.
But whilst he still waits for his Premier League bow, Morrow, who donned a Gunners shirt between 1988 and 1997, believes he has the qualities to make a name for himself, whether that be at Arsenal or elsewhere.
Speaking to The Times about his range of qualities, Morrow said: "I hope he can make the right decision and then figure out what’s best for him at this stage of his career.
"He’s got great physical qualities, can lead the line very well, holds the ball up very well, brings other players into play, and is probably as good a finisher as Eddie [Nketiah].
"He’s got tremendous qualities, a great kid and a great family."
Balogun has been in impressive form for Arsenal at youth-level this season, netting seven goals in 13 Premier League 2 matches.
With the striker yet to put pen to paper on a new deal in north London and the summer edging closer, Arteta, last month, issued an update on his future, insisting he is doing all he can to convince him to extend his stay at the club.
"If anything – regarding his contractual situation with the club – I just wanted to convince him that he has a future at the club, not send him the opposite message," Arteta said, as quoted by the Mirror.
"Before he wasn’t training with the first team, we changed that and he’s been training with us a lot. He’s improving every single day, he’s showing a real hunger and decided to be with us.
"We’re trying to get something done because we want him to stay and we have to go step-by-step. I think he’s made some big steps in the last few months, where he wasn’t even training and then he had a few good games for us.
"So the steps are there in every way and we want to try to keep him."
