Why Balogun didn’t feature against Manchester United

After Saturday’s game, Mikel Arteta explained why he’d selected Eddie Nketiah instead.

“We have some options up front and we wanted to load some players,” Arteta said. “That’s why some players didn’t have any exposure, but they will in the next game.

“Physically it’s been really demanding and some players we wanted to expose a little bit more than they have done because of the way we want to build the physical state.”

To put it simply, Arteta was specifically looking to build Nketiah’s match fitness against Manchester United, hence why he spent so long on the pitch.

But the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Balogun should be involved more against Barcelona on Wednesday.

Balogun will be eagerly awaiting his opportunity, as this is a chance to prove he can be a starter for Arsenal.

The striker missed a couple of good opportunities in the game against FC Nurnberg last week, but the fact those chances fell to him in the first place was a result of intelligent runs and good strength.

If Balogun keeps getting in those positions, the goals will start to go in. And if that happens against Barcelona on Wednesday, the U.S. international will start giving Arteta a decision to make for the return to England.