Three Gunners stars have made the squad for the USMNT’s CONCACAF Nations League semi-final against Mexico, with one ace having committed his international future to the US.
Folarin Balogun has been one of the breakout stars of last season while out on loan and will cap off a bumper year with a call-up to the USMNT alongside two club teammates.
The Gunners forward spєɴԀ last term out on loan at Ligue 1 side Stade de Reims and was a revelation for the French side. Under the tutelage ofWill Still, the New York City-born starlet bagged more goals than the likes of PSG superstarsLionel MessiandNeymar Jr.
Unsurprisingly, the 21-year-old has been touted for an international call-up, coming off the back of a landmark season for theArsenalacademy graduate. Balogun’s route to senior international stardom has been a little unorthodox, however, with the youngster having been subject to offers from several different nations.
Ultimately, however,a call-up to the USMNT put to bed any speculation about the emerging talent’s international future. He has joined up with the squad as interim bossB. J. Callaghan looks to get the better of Mexico in the CONCACAF Nations League semi-final.
BelowMirror Footballhas done some digging to put together a profile on each of the three Arsenal players who are part of the latest USMNT squad.
Matt Turner
The Arsenal back-up goalkeeper is yet to make hisPremier Leaguedebut forMikel Arteta’sside but has become something of a mainstay for his country over the last three years. After making his debut against Trinidad and Tobago back in January 2021, the 28-year-old has won 26 caps.
Arsenal’s back-up goalkeeper Matt Turner is yet to make a league appearance for the Gunners but has been a mainstay for the USMNT.(
The former New England Revolution stopper signed for the Gunners last summer and has been limited to playing understudy to first-choice goalkeeperAaron Ramsdale. He has seven appearances to his name at the Emirates Stadium in all competitions to date.
It would be fair to say that his stint keeping goal for the USMNT during last year’s World Cup stands as something of a career highlight for the New Jersey-born star. He was an ever-present for his country at the tournament inQatar.
Auston Trusty
Another recruit from the MLS, Auston Trusty joined Arsenal in January of last year after playing 57 senior games in his homeland including with the Philadelphia Union and the Colorado Rapids. Like Turner, however, he has found opportunities hard to come by at Arsenal since making the move to England.
uston Trusty of the United States looks for the pass during USMNT Training at Dignity Health Sports Park, California.(
Can some of these latest USMNT stars make a breakthɾօυɢҺ for Arsenal next year? Let us know in the comments…
The 24-year-old defєɴԀer has spent the whole of his time on the Gunners’ books out on loan, with a temporary switch back to Colorado Rapids having been followed by a season out atBirmingham City. He made 48 appearances in all competitions for the Blues last term.
The defєɴԀer is new to the senior international scene, having made his debut for the USMNT in March earlier this year in the CONCACAF Nations League against Grenada. He played the full game in the 7-1 victory, even laying on an assist for Weston McKennie.
Folarin Balogun
The Arsenal academy graduate was nothing short of a revelation forReimsin Ligue 1 last term and it is clear that Mikel Arteta will have another homegrown gem on his hands next season – if he remains in north London. The striker is the subject of plenty of transfer speculation and will demand first-team football after his impressive season in France.
It is the USMNT who have won the race for his services at international level, however, putting to bed any hopes that he could represent either England or Nigeria.
In fact, Balogun has represented both the US and England at youth level, representing the latter’s U21s side up to last year. The Brooklyn-born forward grew up in London from the age of two and has Nigerian parents but he will represent the US after his birth country asked FIFA for permission for a one-time switch.
His first call up came for the upcoming match against Mexico. Balogun’s breakthɾօυɢҺ this season in France will have many USMNT supporters hoping that he can potentially become a focal point for the country for the best part of the next decade.
