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Arsenal talent Dan Ballard excels in win, gets 8/10 for ‘dominant’ display

Lee Clarke

Mon 30 November 2020 19:40, UK

Uncompromising defender Dan Ballard is enjoying a positive loan spell at Blackpool having joined from Arsenal during the summer transfer window.

ꦑThe 21-year-old has looked in great form for the League One side and has broken into the Northern Ireland team this season.

ไOn Saturday he was in action for Blackpool as they won 4-0 against League Two outfit Harrogate Town.

ꦆIt ensures the Tangerines will go into tonight’s draw where they could potentially come up against a Premier League outfit.

🀅Ballard is clearly relishing the chance to play regular first-team football and looks to be improving with each game.

🏅On Saturday the defender earned rave reviews from the for his strong display – earning an 8 out of 10 for his efforts.

ꦑThe player ratings piece claimed: “Dominant aerially and first to everything that came his way. Seemed to thrive on the battle with the opposition striker.”

๊A solid central defender, Ballard will hope to reclaim his place in the side, having sat out for two games previous to Saturday’s win.

TBR View – Ballard will hope to impress Arteta with run of games

♔Blackpool will have ambitions of challenging for a play-off place during the second half of the campaign and Ballard will want to play his part.

🎀After being sent off during a 1-0 defeat to AFC Wimbledon he was forced to sit out and before Saturday hadn’t regained his place.

⛎Hopefully he can now go on a run once again and get plenty of first-team football under his belt under Neil Critchley.

🌱At 21 the ship could have sailed when it comes to making the grade at Arsenal.

ꦓThat said, Arteta has proven himself when it comes to utilising the club’s academy players and that could bode well.

🔯All Ballard can do is keep his head down, focus on his football and then who knows what could happen.