Arsenal let defender Ayden Heaven leave to join Man United last year, and he has since become a star.
The Gunners will be heading into the January transfer window, likely not fussed about making too many additions, as their squad is already one of if not the best in the world right now in terms of depth.
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Mikel Arteta has relied a lot on young players over the past couple of years, as we’ve seen the emergence of the likes of Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Max Dowman, but they have had some young starlets leave the club too.
Ayden Heaven and Chido Obi Martin both left Hale End to join Man United last year, and Heaven especially has become a star. He was one of Man United’s best players against Wolves in their last game, and will hope to get more and more regular minutes.
The reason Arsenal let Heaven join Man United
Upon reflection, it seems a mistake to let Heaven join a Premier League rival, as the 19-year-old looks to be a top class talent, and certainly a player who can start for United on a regular basis moving forward.
However, there was a reason why Arsenal let him go, and the Daily Mail have revealed why. They report that the Gunners were happy to see Ayden Heaven leave for Old Trafford because they had another talent in the wings, who they were even more excited about.
16-year-old Mari Salmon came off the bench as a substitute against Club Brugge in the Champions League, and he is reportedly the reason why Arsenal let Heaven leave. Salmon is expected to be the next young academy product to break through at Arsenal, and Mikel Arteta has already expressed his love for the defender.
Arteta said after bringing him on against Brugge: “He was ready, he was prepared. He can play as a centre back or as a full back and I’m delighted. He’s so young, 16 still, and he’s playing in the Champions League. So yeah, what a great night for him as well.”
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