In a rather surprising development, Arsenal youngster Ryan Huddart has joined National League side Eastleigh on a season-long loan deal.
The young goalkeeper trained with the Arsenal first-team on several occasions last season, and, at one stage, appeared to have edged ahead of Matt Macey in terms of being closer to the first-team squad.
However, Huddart will now be spending the season in England’s fifth tier, with the goalkeeper poised to benefit from the regular game time he will undoubtedly receive.
Huddart’s temporary departure could pave the way for Macey to become increasingly involved in the first-team squad.
The latter must take up a place as a senior player in Arsenal’s Premier League and Champions League squads if he is to be eligible for either competition this campaign.
Macey will hope to play a major part in the first-team’s pre-season plans, perhaps as back-up to Emiliano Martinez, who has returned from his loan spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
jeorge, can you tell us who of the youths, reserves, have to be included in first team 25, or go out on loan. Have the 25 man squad rules changed,
Just Macey and Wellington
On Saturday, 18 June 2016, Jeorge Bird's Arsenal Youth wrote:
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are Toral and Hayden not in the same situation as Macey, being 21 already and turning 22 during the season
Sanogo and Martinez also now at the age that means if they stay they have to be in the 25 man squad.
also don’t Bellerin and Chambers both also need to take up places in the 25 man squad due to age.
Hayden, Akpom, Toral, Bellerin and Chambers all born in 1995 so were under 21 on 1st January 1996 which is the cut off date under PL rules.
Serge Gnarby is another 1995 born. Bellerin and Chambers are shoo-ins in the First Team squad. The others may benefit better by going out on loans to teams that will play them regularly.
Next summer will be interesting as these players will have a tough fight to see who amongst them can make the cut for the a spot in the 25. Or maybe they could do a “Coquelin”?
JB – I wondered if you can shed some light on Jay Beckford? according to many articles I have read he was 17 on 13th May. That would make him older than 3 of our current 1st years (soon to be 2nd years) did he in fact joining us as 1st year scholar last season from Orient? and will be a 2nd year scholar this year? Or are all these articles wrong and his year of birth is in fact 2000 not 1999.
13/05/1999 actually makes him 14 months older than Emile Smith-Rowe
JB – Also Toby Omole is older than Natahan Tella and Joe Willock, how does that work? or are the dates wrong?