ARSENAL debutant BALOGUN: "I worked very hard to accomplish first-team game"

© foto di Insidefoto/Image Sport

Commenting upon his first-team debut, in 3-0 EL victory over Dundalk, New York City-born forward Folarin Balogun (19), 876th player ever to fend for Arsenal first-team, as well as part of English U20 NT, told club media:

"Yeah it feels great. It's a moment I have been waiting for for a little while so to finally get it feels great. I can only thanks Mikel ad the staff for this opportunity and I look forward to doing it more often. It's been tough to accomplish it, however, I worked very hard in order to. I've been at a few other clubs doing trials and stuff like that but I've been working my way through the academy and I think as time has gone on I've become a better player. I think that's shown in my performances and I think it's good now to get the recognition that my performances deserve.

Loads of emotions going on, really. I knew that this was the moment I'd been waiting for but at the same time I knew there was a job that needed to be done. So I just tried to come on, make runs, be a nuisance and just help the team. Anyway, our fans are going to see lots of energy, and I'd like to say lots of goals. But yeah I think I'd like to carry my performances from the youth team into the first team. That's what got me here so it's important I carry on playing the way I do. Of course, that was the only thing missing from tonight, the fans. But I'm sure they were supporting from home.

Our ranking in EL group? As I said, the boys did well, dealt with the game professionally, and I just hope I can get more opportunities and push on from here".