Mikel Arteta explains Folarin Balogun's transfer

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has clarified that the club had to sell Folarin Balogun as they could not assure him with regular playing time.

The Gunners graduate was superb on loan for Reims last season. He scored 22 goals and provided three assists from 39 appearances for them.

Despite this, he could not break into Arteta's plans this season and there were no surprises that he was sold to Monaco for around €40m.

Arteta has now revealed that the club didn't have space for the striker and the right decision was made to sanction his departure to Monaco.

He said: "We didn’t have space for him in the squad to give him the minutes that he needs. He was doing well last year in his loan period. He’s evolving the right way and wanted the chance to continue developing his career."

Arsenal sold the 22-year-old for a reasonable price, and they stand to benefit in the future, having included a 17.5 per cent sell-on clause.

Meanwhile, the Gunners seem unlikely to make any signings on transfer deadline day with Arteta happy with the current shape of the squad.