Just over a month after completing his move from Stoke City, Jaden Dixon made his Arsenal senior debut as a substitute against Mansfield in the FA Cup yesterday.
Dixon has featured prominently at U21 level since his arrival at the club but the fact that he has been involved with the senior squad so quickly is a very encouraging sign.
The 18-year-old was deployed at right-back yesterday, although the feeling persists that he is more comfortable at centre-back and could feature in the latter position in the long term.
Dixon, who is strong physically, will hope to remain close to the squad for the rest of the campaign and be involved in as many training sessions with the team as possible.
There is also still much work to attend to at U21 level, with Max Porter’s side having four games left of the regular season before hopefully competing in the play-offs.
Dixon will hope to be involved with the first-team in pre-season, especially with Jurrien Timber likely to link up later with the squad if he represents the Netherlands at the World Cup if expected.
It will be intriguing to see how Dixon’s development is managed next season and he is no stranger to senior football having made six first-team appearances for Stoke.
He has also made good progress on the international stage and is currently an England U19 international, where he has played alongside Max Dowman.
Dixon seems somewhat similar in style to fellow youngster Marli Salmon, with both players capable of playing at centre-back or right-back.
If Salmon was to potentially go on loan next season then further opportunities at first-team level may open up for Dixon.