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Arsene Wenger has Carved out a Niche at Arsenal for Isaac Hayden to Fit Into

By Josh Sippie

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When we look back on this era of Arsenal football a decade or two down the road, one thing will never be said. That thing is “they really never gave their youth system enough attention.” Arsenal has a tremendous youth system with phenomenal talent. All of that talent is right on the brink of becoming serious first team contenders.

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One such lad is Isaac Hayden, a 20 year old defensive midfielder. Originally a center back for Arsenal, Arsene Wenger made the decision to move him up to defensive midfield, likely convincing himself that that was all the help he needed at the position. At 79 kg and 187 centimeters, Hayden casts a big aura on to the pitch. He is a physical presence that is averaging 1.3 interceptions per appearance at Hull City thus far into the year (via WhoScored).

Isaac Hayden has earned the praise of Hull manager Steve Bruce and the support of Arsene Wenger as well. Apparently Hayden modeling himself after Patrick Vieira has paid off.

In fact, it has paid off so well that Arsene Wenger seems to be carving out a place on the team for Hayden. While that carving may harm the team in the short term, it is helping Hayden in the long term.

As of right now, Arsenal has no one but Francis Coquelin to man the center of the pitch. Defensively, he is it. He has become one of the most powerful holding midfielders in the game. As Spiderman’s uncle would tell you, with great power comes great responsibility, and Coquelin has massive responsibility with this club. So much responsibility in fact, that without him, Arsenal wilt like a fig tree in winter. We’ve all seen it. It’s ugly.

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Mikel Arteta is the cover. His contract expires at the end of the year. On the very likely chance that Arsene Wenger does not spend any amount of his £193 million on a defensive midfielder, that leaves us with a hole to fill. Well, not really a hole, seeing as how Mikel Arteta is no sort of a defensive midfielder.

Come next year, Isaac Hayden will be 21 years old. About the age that he should be breaking into the first team. With Arteta (thankfully) out of the picture, that leaves Isaac Hayden to slide in and become the next Francis Coquelin while Francis Coquelin is still with the team. Krystian Bielik will likely factor into the future but it is Hayden’s niche to fill.

Ideally, we would still like to see defensive midfielder(s) brought on, but if that does not happen, and let’s prepare for it not to happen, then Hayden will likely be the answer.

Next: Reine-Adelaide receives appropriate welcome

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