Folarin Balogun has had a devastating impact on French football this season, taking Ligue 1 by storm following a season-long loan move from Arsenal.

A goalscorer of fine calibre, he has found the net with immense regularity in the Gunners' academy but when given the chance to prove himself at a first-team level last term struggled to have as big an impact.

Indeed, he went from a player with 75 goals in 103 matches for the U18s and U21s to someone who could only beat the goalkeeper on three occasions during a six-month stint at Middlesbrough.

The Championship can be a tough league but he has made a mockery after being given the opportunity in one of Europe's top five leagues.

So far this term he has scored 14 times in 21 matches on loan at Stade Reims with the American-born forward outmuscling the likes of former Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette and World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe to the top spot in the race for the division's golden boot.

It has been a remarkable rise for the 21-year-old but where to find space in the Arsenal senior side for him is a tricky task.

Gabriel Jesus has made a profound impact on Mikel Arteta's side this term while Eddie Nketiah has come of age, particularly in recent times having scored twice in the win over Manchester United.

Therefore, Balogun may have to bide his time before earning a regular spot in the first team.

Not only will he be looking forward but the England U21 international must also have one eye over his shoulder with more precocious talents breaking through at Hale End.

One such youngster is Khayon Edwards, a 19-year-old who looks cut from the same cloth as Balogun.

A "deadly" forward - as dubbed by Football.London's Kaya Kaynak - he looks like the next big thing to emerge from Arsenal's impressive youth factory.

Edwards is yet to earn his debut for Arteta's side but is making all the right noises in Premier League 2 and beyond, bagging 27 in 54 games at U21 and U18 level, a goal every two matches.

He is currently following in the footsteps of Nketiah and Balogun with both having now shown in the last year that there is a route to the senior team and indeed stardom should he stick around.

There have been admiring glances from elsewhere but the youth product put any doubt about his future in north London to bed last summer by penning his first professional contract.

It was a degree of faith shown by all parties, first and foremost from Arsenal who clearly think he has what it takes to make an impact one day and indeed from Edwards who believes there is a pathway.

Should he continue to impress then an opportunity may well be forthcoming. After all, the teenager has trained with the first team already now on several occasions and has been in the matchday squad - without making an appearance - in the Europa League.

Described as "a hard-working attacker whose style of play and potency in front of goal emulates fellow academy grad, Eddie Nketiah," by Arsenal's official website, it is easy to see why he is exciting those behind the scenes.

If that hard work shines through then few would bet against a Nketiah and Balogun-esque rise to the top in the coming years for Edwards.

The teen is still very much a raw talent but possesses one crucial quality; he knows where the net is. As long as football exists that will always be the most valuable commodity to any manager and football club.

As such, the future certainly looks bright.