Newcastle target Arsenal’s Isaac Hayden!
It is reported in today’s Daily Star that Newcastle United are supposedly in contact with Arsenal over a potential move for defender Isaac Hayden.
Hayden, who is an Arsenal youth product spent last season out on loan in the Championship with Hull City, who will now be back in the Premier League next season after achieving promotion. Hayden’s potential new club Newcastle however, will be playing the Championship after being relegated from the Premier League last season. Hayden made 24 appearances overall for the Tigers, playing as either a central defensive midfielder or central defender. Predominantly a centre back, Hayden has seen his progress at Arsenal stagnate over the last few years, since making his debut for the Gunners back in 2013. He has made just two appearances for the club in total.
Hayden in my opinion strikes me as a player who does have potential and could turn out to be a very good defender in the future. However at the present moment, he doesn’t quite cut it and certainly wouldn’t be in the pecking order above the likes of Gabriel and Chambers, despite what flaws they may have. Hayden therefore is likely to either be sent out on loan again or to be limited to just a few cup competition games here and there next season. With that in mind, I wouldn’t be surprised if Wenger let Hayden go to Newcastle if they make a suitable offer. At 21 years old, Hayden is still young and has to develop plenty more before he is the finished product, but I don’t think Arsenal will be the ones investing in his resources.
If the interest from Newcastle is deemed to be true, then it is uncertain on whether the Magpies want the defender permanently or on loan. Personally if they’d take him on loan rather than a sale, then I think that would be the best for Arsenal, as I do believe Hayden could still offer something in the future. At this moment however, he isn’t going to get the regular playing time he needs and at the age he is, he can’t be playing under21 football anymore, he needs to be out getting real professional and competitive match time.
By AH