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Fans react to Arsenal youngster Daniel Ballard’s Northern Ireland display

Jordan Harris

Sun 28 March 2021 19:45, UK

A number of fans have taken to Twitter to comment on Daniel Ballard’s display as the Arsenal youngster produced a superb performance for Northern Ireland on Sunday.

It says a lot that a player can give away a penalty and still find himself named by many as the man of the match in Belfast.

But the Gunners starlet was lauded by several fans on social media following his performance during Ian Baraclough’s side’s 2-1 defeat to USA in a friendly.

And it did appear that Ballard was incredibly unlucky to be penalised for the spot-kick that ultimately led to what proved to be the winning goal anyway.

The 21-year-old appeared to get to the ball before Christian Pulisic seemingly threw himself to the floor after losing possession.

Ballard’s international career is still very much in its infancy. He was an unused substitute for the World Cup qualifier with Italy earlier this week.

But it is clear that many of their supporters would like to see the Arsenal starlet handed more opportunities. Several labelled him the best player on the pitch.

And it appears that some are hoping that he gets the chance to keep his place when they return to competitive action against Bulgaria on Wednesday.

With that in mind, here is what some of the fans made of Ballard’s performance…

MOTM anyone with a set of eyes can see that wasn’t a penalty 😤

— STING (@lewis_bennett_)

Ballard has been exceptional

— Dave Andrews (@daveandrews205)

Motm

— Daniel (@themightypooI)

Ballard has been NI’s best defender by quite a bit today.

Dion Charles has just came on and been really bright too, would love if we brought him back this Summer.

— George (@_GeorgeGlass)

Awful decision, never a pen! Ballard has looked fantastic as well!

— Rachael Irwin (@RIrwin08)

Daniel Ballard looks like a smashing prospect. I’d like to see him start on Wednesday night with McNair pushed into midfield.

— Keith Bailie (@KeithJBailie)

McLaughlin or Ballard for me!

— Stuart Pierce (@1886Pierce)

Surely this bad luck has to end soon, a very good performance from our fringe players, beaten by a deflected goal & a dive for a pen. Lack of a goalscorer is hurting us big time, someone has to step up. MOM for me, also put in great performances

— NornIronFootball 🇬🇧 ⚽️ (@NornIronFan)