Folarin Balogun has revealed that he thinks his game has matured a lot at Middlesbrough.

The Arsenal forward is on loan at Boro for the remainder of the season having joined Chris Wilder’s side in January. 

Since joining Middlesbrough, Balogun has featured 12 times in the Championship, starting six games and even scoring twice. 

Balogun has become an important part of Wilder’s plans as he utilises the many striking talents in his squad. 

This has been the forward’s first big break into senior football, having only made a handful of appearances in the top flight with his parent club before making this switch. 

Balogun believes that his game has adapted well to playing alongside men for the first time and that he is getting to grips well with being in the first team. 

Balogun has learned a lot in just the couple of months that he has worked with Wilder and is happy with the experience he has gained in the Championship. 

“My game's definitely become a lot more mature,” said Balogun, via Football London. 

“Playing Under-23s I could get away with things sometimes. Transitioning to men's football I've noticed you need to play with your head a bit more and know when to do certain things. 

“My game's come on but I know there's still a lot more I can do to improve.

“The biggest thing for me is it means a bit more. It means more the higher you go up.

“Losing the ball now gives the opposition a chance to score, a chance to do something with the ball that can harm you. There's more pressure on it and with that pressure you need to be smarter not to be in that situation.

“It's the environment. There's no hiding, especially at Middlesbrough, we're trying to get promoted. That's the aim of the club. I've come in and had to adapt to it. It's a good pressure to be around. It's not something I shy away from.”

Balogun has played a role in Boro’s play-off challenge, helping the side to seventh in the Championship table. 

Wilder’s side are only two points away from the top six places with nine games still to play this campaign. 

Up next for Boro is a trip to Peterborough United on April 2. 

The Verdict

Balogun has played quite well in the opportunities that he has been given so far. 

Playing in such an intense play-off battle is a great introduction to learn what senior football is like for a youngster. 

Wilder is also a great coach for Balogun to be working under.

If Balogun can have a good final few weeks with Boro then he may even catch the eye of Mikel Arteta to stake a claim for next year’s Arsenal squad.