Wenger Admits Youth Player Was Wasting Career At Arsenal

Wenger Admits Youth Player Was Wasting Career At Arsenal

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that youth player Isaac Hayden needed to better his opportunities outside of the club because he feared he was ‘wasting his career’ at the Emirates.

Hayden has been a youth player at Arsenal for some time, and rose through the Gunners ranks to break into the first team in 2013, however the midfielder failed to make a single Premier League appearance since that time.


The 21-year-old has now been allowed to leave the club and made a switch to Newcastle United, where he signed a 5-year-deal earlier in the month.

Wenger admits he is sad to see Hayden leave, but looks forward to seeing him progress with a club who will give him more opportunities.

“He couldn’t get the chance here and I decided to let him go and have an opportunity,” Wenger said.

“At 21 years of age, you need to play or you stand still – and if you stand still you waste your career. He’s very intelligent and very good physically as well, he has good strength.”

“I remember some games he played, like at West Brom in the League Cup where he did extremely well, and I gave him a chance to go up to Hull [on loan].”

“It went quite well, they liked him and they wanted to buy him as well. I think Newcastle is a good opportunity for him.”

[Quotes via Express]

Hayden was always touted for greatness at Arsenal, but it never quite seemed to happen for the England U20 international. We sincerely hope it all works out for him at St James’ Park.