Isaac Hayden is a name than not many Gunners will have known about until late. The young English centre-back has been an impressive performer for the Arsenal youth teams in the past, but has excelled in the current pre-season, playing in both of Arsenal’s friendlies so far. However, have these pre-season performances been enough to warrant the position of fourth choice centre-back for the Arsenal first team?
Isaac Hayden is 19 years old, so is of course very inexperienced, having played very few games at full senior level. However, it is clear that the boy has potential, and has shown maturity beyond his years in Arsenal’s youth teams. Hayden is a versatile player, having played at centre-back, holding midfield, right-back and as a playmaker in his relatively young career, but looks set to specialise in the centre of defence. He even played 40 minutes in goal when Josh Vickers was injured during an U18s game last season. His talents haven’t gone unnoticed, either; Arsène Wenger is a known admirer of the England U19 international’s ability. When asked about Hayden’s qualities, Wenger described him as a player whose key assets are concentration, intelligence and strength.
These assets have been seen by any of those who have watched Arsenal’s pre-season games against Boreham Wood and New York Red Bulls. Hayden played 45 minutes in both games, and hardly put a foot wrong, whilst also showing impressive control of the ball. Hayden has also made his full competitive debut for the Gunners, in their victorious Capital One Cup game against West Bromwich Albion in September of 2013.
Hayden has shown vast maturity for a young man only 19 years of age, an attribute which will stand him in good stead should he break through for the Gunners. He has also captained Arsenal at all levels apart from the senior side, so clearly possesses impressive leadership capabilities. He can also score a goal or two from a corner, having netted twice for the Gunners’ U21 side last season. He is known to possess impressive technical quality too, which is perhaps why Wenger is such an admirer of this young defender.
When you analyse the modern-day game, it is evident that technical ability is fast becoming one of the prerequisites of the modern-day centre-back. In Arsenal alone, the likes of Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker and Thomas Vermaelen are all comfortable on the ball, and have shown impressive and composed passing ability. Many top defenders are also versatile, with Vermaelen having played in both left-back and centre-midfielder, and Koscielny at right-back, both with relative success. Hayden appears to have such qualities, and could no doubt fill in anywhere across the back line, as well as in midfield.
With the future of Thomas Vermaelen uncertain, and most top class teams in need of at least four centre-backs, the upcoming season could be a big one for Isaac Hayden. We know he has the talent, but can Isaac Hayden truly step up as Arsenal’s fourth choice centre-back? Only time will tell.
By Lucas Jones (Twitter: @LucasJones4)