Arsenal under-21’s 4-2 victory against Boreham Wood in pre-season’s traditional curtain raiser may have been a real eye-opener for Mikel Arteta.
The club chose against involving any senior players for minutes, unless Charlie Patino is now considered in that regard.
Patino started alongside the likes of Charles Sagoe Jr and Khayon Edwards – two other big talents in the academy.
In that respect, the match served as a bit of a Hale-End all-stars game, with Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly also entering the game in the second half.
And although the game was predominantly of use to under-21 coach Mehmet Ali, Arteta will no doubt have also had a keen eye on proceedings.
As mentioned, Arsenal won in convincing fashion, demonstrating the rich talent that exists in the club’s academy – one that Ajax’s Tommy Setford looks set to join.
But aside from the biggest names involved in the game, one player really impressed, defender Ayden Heaven.
17-year-old Heaven was involved in Arteta’s first-team training on numerous occasions last season, and it’s now becoming clear why.
Arsenal need to offer Ayden Heaven a new contract amid Dortmund interest
As a younger player, Heaven was once compared stylistically to Paul Pogba, a midfielder who could do it all.
But as years progressed, Heaven is now a left-sided defender, who is best deployed as a centre-back.
And in Arsenal’s 4-2 win on Saturday, Heaven displayed his whole array of talent – proving why he should be involved in pre-season for the Gunners.
Heaven made excellent progress with the under-21s last season, catching the eye with his confidence in possession.
The Englishman reads the game incredibly well too, which is why he can be compared to a young William Saliba – even if that is a comparison that very few will ultimately stand up to in time.
And whilst Heaven’s progression is all good news from Arsenal’s point of view, there is still one concern.
The 17-year-old is yet to sign a professional deal in north London, with his youth contract reportedly set to expire in a year’s time.
Arsenal have already lost Amario Cozier-Duberry and Reuell Walters to Brighton & Hove Albion and Luton Town respectively of late – and they can’t let it happen again.
The club needs to be quick in offering Heaven a new deal, who looks as if he could be first-teamer in the future.
