Forgotten former Arsenal player gets 'sanction' verdict after half-time substitution

Mika Biereth has struggled for form this season after a stunning start to life away from Arsenal, with the forward hauled off at half-time for Monaco over the weekend

Mika Biereth has NOT been disciplined despite the former Arsenal striker being withdrawn at the interval during new club Monaco's recent outing. The Danish attacker had previously been in remarkable form since departing the Emirates.

He netted 14 times in 25 outings for Sturm Graz following a £4m transfer to the Austrian outfit - that record proving sufficient to secure a remarkable move to Ligue 1 heavyweights Monaco. Biereth maintained his prolific streak at the Stade Louis II.

The 22-year-old bagged 13 goals in 19 matches last term - a tally that featured three individual hat-tricks. His output has however declined this campaign with only one strike in 12 appearances.

That form reached its culmination when Biereth was withdrawn at the break as Monaco succumbed to a 1-0 reverse against Paris FC at the weekend. And while manager Sébastien Pocognoli acknowledged he wasn't impressed by Biereth's display, his substitution wasn't meant as a disciplinary measure.

"It isn't a sanction because I don't sanction a player, and I think that Mika gave everything in the first half. But I thought we could look to go in behind more and have more of an impact in the second-half," Pocognoli explained following his team's defeat.

"He didn't have the desired impact, but I must admit that, collectively, there wasn't a lot more happening in the second half."

In a twist of fate, Biereth was replaced by another former Gunner who's been struggling to find the back of the net. Folarin Balogun, another product of the Arsenal academy, has only managed to score 15 goals in his 59 appearances since making a permanent move to Monaco in 2023.

Both Biereth and Balogun will undoubtedly be looking to regain their form in the coming week. Monaco are set to return to the pitch on Tuesday evening as they face off against Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League, before a crucial match with Lens.

Reflecting on his time at Arsenal, Biereth previously stated: "The problem for a lot of children is that they are so programmed to play for Arsenal that when it doesn't work, they are stuck.

"There are lots of big clubs that play good football, opportunities and different paths. Every player that pulls on an Arsenal shirt wants to succeed there; it is natural. But when you manage to get into this academy, it is anything but a failure."

Over the summer, Arsenal decided to strengthen their attacking line-up by signing Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon. He's already made his mark, scoring six goals in his first 14 appearances across all competitions.