Deyan Iliev secures loan move to SKF Sered as Matt Macey edges closer to first-team promotion

Arsenal goalkeeper Deyan Iliev will gain his first experience of senior football on loan at SKF Sered.

The 24-year-old has been named on the bench for the Arsenal first-team on several occasions, including for the Europa League final last season, and has also been called upon by North Macedonia at senior level, but has never played a first-team game for either club or country.

Iliev’s temporary departure makes it more likely that Matt Macey will be promoted to the Arsenal senior squad as the club’s third-choice goalkeeper.

Macey, who had a loan spell at Plymouth Argyle last season, is currently with Unai Emery’s squad in the United States.

Given that he is wearing number 33 in training, it appears that Macey is part of the first-team squad along with new signing Gabriel Martinelli, who is sporting number 35.

Advertisements

Trialist features and McEneff returns as Arsenal U23s lose 3-0 to Sparta Prague B

Arsenal U23s are still awaiting their first victory of pre-season after they were beaten 3-0 by Sparta Prague B in Slovakia.

A trialist, believed to be FC Twente left-back Redouan Taha el Idrissi, started the game, while midfielder Jordan McEneff returned from injury.

Tolaji Bola also made his comeback as he was named amongst the substitutes, where he was joined by Xavier Amaechi.

Scholars Stan Flaherty, Levi Laing, Jason Sraha and Kido Taylor-Hart received their first call-ups at this level.

After staying in Slovakia, Steve Bould’s side will later head to Germany before returning to England to take on Barnet.

Hillson
Dennis-Clarke-Ogungbo-Idrissi
M. Smith-McEneff
Tormey-Greenwood-Coyle
Balogun

Subs: T. Smith, Laing, Azeez, Sraha, Olowu, Taylor-Hart, Flaherty, Matthews, Cottrell, Amaechi, Bola, Alebiosu.

Ben Sheaf joins Doncaster on loan; will Iliev be next for temporary transfer?

Ben Sheaf has become Arsenal’s latest loanee, with the versatile youngster to spend the season with League One side Doncaster Rovers.

Sheaf, who can play at centre-back or in central midfield, has made two senior appearances for Arsenal, both of which came in the 2017/18 campaign.

Now aged 21, Sheaf joined Arsenal as a scholar from West Ham United in 2014 and gained experience on loan at Stevenage in League Two in 2018.

There have been suggestions that goalkeeper Deyan Iliev could also go on loan after he was left out of the squad for the US Tour.

Matt Macey, who could be Arsenal’s third-choice custodian this campaign and Iliev, who has no prior first-team experience, could go on loan to Slovakian side SKF Sered, as reported by Daily Cannon.

Burton receives first call-up as Arsenal name eight youngsters in squad for US Tour

Arsenal have named their squad for the pre-season tour of the United States, with Robbie Burton receiving his first senior call-up.

The 19-year-old has featured frequently for Arsenal at U23 level and captained Steve Bould’s side against Boreham Wood last weekend.

In addition to Burton, Matt Macey, Dominic Thompson, James Olayinka, Bukayo Saka, Zech Medley, Tyreece John-Jules and Gabriel Martinelli have all been called up. There is no place in the squad for Xavier Amaechi, Ben Sheaf or Deyan Iliev.

Krystian Bielik, who represented Poland at the U21 European Championship, also isn’t included.

Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson, Eddie Nketiah and Joe Willock, who have all recently been promoted to the first-team, have also made the trip.

With regards to first-team players, Hector Bellerin and Rob Holding have travelled as they step up their recoveries from injury.

Captain Laurent Koscielny has refused to travel, while Lucas Torreira, Mohamed Elneny, Matteo Guendouzi and Alex Iwobi miss out due to their international commitments this summer.

Takuma Asano, who has been linked with a departure from the club, has also been left out.

Arsenal will play Colorado Rapids, Bayern Munich, Fiorentina and Real Madrid while on tour.

Emile Smith Rowe promoted to Arsenal first-team and given number 32 shirt

Emile Smith Rowe has become the fourth youngster to be promoted to the Arsenal first-team squad this summer, and has been allocated the number 32 shirt, as revealed by Preciana Brown.

The Hale End product joins Reiss Nelson, Eddie Nketiah and Joe Willock in having been promoted to the senior squad.

Smith Rowe endured an injury hit spell on loan at RB Leipzig in the second half of last season but prior to that scored three goals in six games for the Arsenal first-team.

Arsenal complete signings of Sraha and Cirjan as new scholars are confirmed

Arsenal have confirmed their new scholars for this season, with new signing Jason Sraha amongst them.

Sraha, a left sided central defender, joins Arsenal following his departure from Chelsea.

Romanian midfielder Catalin Cirjan has also completed his move to the club.

In addition, it has been confirmed that Luke Plange, a striker, has signed scholarship terms, along with Kido Taylor-Hart.

Goalkeepers Hubert Graczyk and Ovie Ejeheri have also signed scholarship deals along with Miguel Azeez, Mazeed Ogungbo, Alex Kirk, Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, Daniel Oyegoke and Levi Laing.