Hayden registered as midfielder for Champions League
Isaac Hayden has been registered as a midfielder in Arsenal’s Champions League squad, prompting speculation that manager Arsene Wenger could see the 18-year-old’s future position as a defensive midfielder.
England under-19 international Hayden, a centre back by trade, made his full debut for Arsenal in the club’s Capital One Cup penalty shoot-out win over West Brom last week and played in the holding midfield role.
Wenger, on the recommendation of development coach Terry Burton, has been surprised with Hayden’s versatility in training and could eventually move the Chelmsford-born prospect into a permanent defensive midfield position.
Other starlets included in the Gunners’ squad are 16-year-old Gedion Zelalem who impressed throughout pre-season and Spanish right-back Hector Bellerin, a former Barcelona youth player.
The youngsters registered for this season’s Champions League campaign can be seen below (courtesy of @AFCacademy), while a whole list is available on UEFA’s official website.
looks a player good luck to him, need more cover in that position
Hope to see more of Hayden in the upcoming League Cup game against Chelsea and perhaps the FA Cup also. Excited about these youngsters coming through!
‘Blooding’ a young CB by bringing him on as a DM late in a game is the easy option.
Whether AW thinks that’s his long term position or not is unlikely to become clear for a few years.