Arsenal drew 1-1 with Manchester United in a game that saw former Hale End ace Ayden Heaven face his former club.
The Gunners parted ways with Heaven to allow the defender to follow fellow ex-academy star Chido Obi to Old Trafford.
As Arsenal drew 1-1 with Man United, Heaven was called upon to play the second half, replacing the injury Leny Yoro in the Red Devils’ back line.
The focus of the game from an Arsenal point of view was the lack of attacking spark once again but, another narrative played out involving Heaven.
Playing the second half against his former club, the 18-year-old earned feedback from Man United fans watching on, who sent a message to the Gunners for letting the prospect depart.
What Manchester United fans said about Ayden Heaven vs Arsenal
Heaven left Arsenal to seek first-team football, which he’s achieved at United by securing senior minutes under Ruben Amorim.
Seeing a top talent leave Hale End was a blow for Arsenal, even more so as the defender earned rave reviews from his new supporters at Old Trafford.
“Ayden Heaven. You are a monster,” one Man United fan said on X in reaction to the teenager’s cameo.
“Can we talk about this man’s game so far. Ayden Heaven take a bow. Immense performance so far,” another posted.
Heaven impressed United fans at academy level and now, the former Arsenal starlet has earned high praise for his Premier League display.
To rub salt into Arsenal’s wounds after dropping more points in the Premier League, positive feedback of Heaven continued to flood in.
“Unlucky not to win that at the death, seriously impressed with young Ayden Heaven, he looks comfortable in that back three already at such a young age, himself & Yoro have a great future ahead of them,” a United supporter wrote.
Another agreed with the prospect of Heaven combining with Yoro, as those at Old Trafford have already started planning for the future.
“Heaven was brilliant when he came on. Potentially great pairing for the future with Yoro.”
It’s painful to realise that Arsenal might have handed their rivals talent for years to come, with United fans certainly excited for the future after Heaven’s performance.
“Sky is the limit for Heaven’s potential. Absolute monster of a defender we have in our hand,” one said.
Another echoed such praise, “Heaven was brilliant, we could have a great player on our hands.”
Heaven wasn’t afraid of Arsenal
Arsenal would’ve wanted to keep hold of all of their encouraging academy talents but, when a player wants to leave, there’s not a lot of room to manoeuvre.
| Ayden Heaven vs Arsenal |
| 3 clearances |
| 1 interception |
| 1 tackle |
| 3 duel wins |
| 1 foul drawn |
Such happened with both Obi and Heaven, who are now breaking into senior level with Man United.
As seen by Heaven’s statistics against the Gunners, the former Hale End was involved heavily at the back, showing little sign of fear when the world was watching.
Will Arsenal live to regret the end of Heaven’s tale in North London? Only time will tell.
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