Isaac Hayden

I'll keep it simple. Do you think he'll make it in the coming years at Arsenal?

I like what I have seen of him in the U21 game and the League Cup - think he could. Also seems a good kid. Here's the .com post-match:

“Despite the result, it was obviously fantastic to play at the Emirates,” he told Arsenal Player. “It's the first time I've played in front of a home crowd which was good. I've been on the bench a few times so it was good to finally get on the pitch.

“It's a great starter, a great first taste and you want more of it. That's the aim, you want to be playing at the highest level of professional football that you can.

“It was a good learning experience for me tonight, playing against Graziano Pelle who's a very good forward. It's good for me and Calum, both being 19, to learn against such good quality opposition. Graziano’s a big strong guy but I did my best, that's all I can do. Give 100 per cent each time I play for Arsenal.”

I liked his performance yesterday. I thought he played better than Chambers. However I am worried about his physique. If I want to imagine Hayden Vs Costa, then I can't think of him making out of the game with dignity. But he is 19 and supposedly over 6ft(would have thought he was 5'10/5'11) so he can improve that and get stronger.

I want him to make it. He has the defensive mindset and has improved his technique over the years. But I don't know. I think a loan move would be good for him for now.

I don't know about the physique RG.. He's definitely got much more of it than Miquel, for example.. And we have seen these 19 yos bulk up over the summer after their first couple of seasons - it happened with Jack and Ox..

I would love to see him and Chambers at the heart of our defence in a 2-3 years and gradually replacing Per and Laurent.. We know AW won't spend on defensive players and then one has to be hopeful of the youth making it through.. Gibbs did, Dench and Miquel didn't.. Coq seems to have a bite at the cherry again this season surprisingly..

I thought of doing a profile, but then it seemed much too premature.. I think MJ did some youth player profiles a couple of seasons back and then none of that bunch made it - so don't want to jinx that either

The next Bartley

Although he did well yesterday, I can't see him making the grade here. I think it will be a case of being good but not good enough. Arsene will probably sign another centre half in a season or two.

srigooner wrote:I thought of doing a profile, but then it seemed much too premature.. I think MJ did some youth player profiles a couple of seasons back and then none of that bunch made it - so don't want to jinx that either

I did transfer target profiles.

You want Ali for the youth profile scapegoating

if Bartley and Miguel ( who seen plenty of game time) couldn't make it, I don't have high hope for Hayden. It's not a fun time to be young CB at Arsenal, fans screaming for world class and experience, also the fact that Wengers put that much money to buy youngster like Chambers kinda means " well none of you lads are ready ( what I mean is good enough) for 1st team"

There's still one place left for 4th CB if Chambers continues to impress. Can't predict if he'll make it or not, it depends on other factors aswell as himself but if he's good enough Wenger will use him without a doubt.

Not at all going off of one performance but I've been much more pleased with Hayden than Bartley, Miquel or any other recent young CB we've had.

He could still not make it as is the case with a billion youngsters who are good but just not Arsenal-level good but I think he's got a great opportunity to get more minutes this season. Especially if we don't sign defensive cover.

MJ wrote:Not at all going off of one performance but I've been much more pleased with Hayden than Bartley, Miquel or any other recent young CB we've had.

He could still not make it as is the case with a billion youngsters who are good but just not Arsenal-level good but I think he's got a great opportunity to get more minutes this season. Especially if we don't sign defensive cover.

This.

After Alexis, Hayden was perhaps our best performer on the night. Looks like he could be a handy 4th choice CB, until January at least. And he's homegrown.

Since he's Essex-born and a former Southend player, I really, really want him to make it at Arsenal. Home county/local club pride and all that.

He's not harmed his cause any with his first team performances. Being able to play defensive midfield may help him get more chances in the future, too.