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Football London
Football London
Sport
Jamie Kemble

The two former Arsenal strikers Folarin Balogun has been compared with after Dundalk goal

Arsenal legend Martin Keown has delivered a glowing verdict on youngster Folarin Balogun, comparing the 19-year-old to two Premier League greats.

Balogun came off the bench in Arsenal's 4-2 Europa League win over Dundalk on Thursday evening, scoring with a cool finish in the 80th minute to round off the Gunners' win - their sixth from as many games in the group stage campaign.

After the game, former Gunners defender turned pundit Keown gave his verdict on Balogun, and it's fair to say he was impressed with what he saw from the 19-year-old.

He said on BT Sport: "I'm looking at him thinking 'remember the name'.

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"You try to compare - is he an Andy Cole or Ian Wright? There is that sort of movement about him.

"I know they are big named players and if he can live up to that, he will have some career.

"But I just love the way he is always looking to be on the shoulder.

"His movement, look how he brings defenders in. The way he scored the goal, he steps on to it. 'This is me, this is my moment' and I like that. He has had to wait for his opportunity but he is already showing good signs."

Wright is a hero among Arsenal fans after scoring 185 goals for the Gunners, while Cole started his career in north London, before going on to play for Newcastle United, Manchester United and others in the Premier League.

The win over Dundalk means the Gunners end the group stage with a perfect record, top of the group with 15 points.

Speaking about the performance against the Irish side, Keown added: "It was a professional performance. Dundalk got a couple of goals and they deserved that for their endeavours with what they are going through as a football club.

"There was only one winner but it's a night for the academy rather than looking forward to the first team.

"There are a couple of players who might affect selection, Elneny taken off after 60 minutes, whether that's a view to the weekend with Partey injured.

"But with some of the others, I'm not sure they will affect the starting XI."

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