Several Arsenal youngsters impressed in first-team opportunities given to them by Mikel Arteta in a pre-season victory over Manchester United.
Ethan Nwaneri and Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand were the standouts, with both players impressing in each half as they aimed to prove they could be options in midfield going forward.
Ayden Heaven was selected at centre-back after performing well in previous friendlies, but the 17-year-old endured a tough moment as Man United striker Rasmus Hojlund overpowered him to score the opening goal.
However, the teenager bounced back superbly, putting in a strong performance for the rest of his time on the pitch before he was replaced by Jakub Kiwior, and he has now earned special praise from Arteta.
Mikel Arteta praises Ayden Heaven after recovering from mistake in Arsenal win
Speaking after the game, Arteta singled out Heaven for praise, with his mentality and composure particularly impressive.
“Very impressive. At 17, I don’t know how many players are able to do that on a stage like this,” he stated.
“He’s lost a duel against one of the strongest and fastest players in the world, it can happen, but the reaction afterwards, the composure, the quality, the body language that he had were all remarkable. I’m really happy with him.”
Ayden Heaven pre-season mistake vs Man United will be good for his development
Heaven has hardly been exposed to any senior football at all in his career, and facing tougher opposition has been good for his development.
Centre-back is the hardest position for a young player to break into, and at 17, there is a level of struggle to be expected when facing a physical striker like Hojlund.
It could even benefit Heaven to be exposed against a player in the mould of Hojlund now. At this stage in his development, it is better to make mistakes in a friendly than in competitive action, and the experience of facing a striker bigger and faster than anyone he has faced so far will set him up well in the long run.
Heaven did not hide after his mistake, and the mentality he showed to bounce back and improve within the circumstances was exceptional from the youngster.
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