Ayden Edford Heaven (born 22 September 2006) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Arsenal.[2]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ayden Edford Heaven[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 22 September 2006 | ||
| Place of birth | London, England | ||
| Position(s) | Defender, Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Arsenal | ||
| Number | 76 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2015–2019 | West Ham United | ||
| Arsenal | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2024– | Arsenal | 0 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2024 | England U18 | 2 | (0) |
| 2024– | England U19 | 2 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 00:15, 1 August 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:19, 25 September 2024 (UTC) | |||
Club career
editHeaven joined the academy at West Ham United when he was eight years-old, where he stayed for four years. After a trial with Chelsea, he joined the academy system at Arsenal, the club he had supported since childhood.[3] He signed a scholarship contract with Arsenal in the summer of 2023.[4] He trained with the Arsenal first team squad on occasion during the 2023-24 season.[5][6]
Heaven was heavily involved with Arsenal first team training during the 2024 summer preseason, and was one of three youngsters, along with Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri, individually praised by manager Mikel Arteta in August 2024.[7] The following month he was included amongst the match-day substitutes for the North London derby against Spurs in the Premier League.[8] He made his Arsenal debut on 30 October 2024, away at Preston North End in EFL Cup helping Arsenal win 3-0.[9]
International career
editIn May 2024 Heaven made his debut for the England U18 side against Northern Ireland.[10]
Style of play
editHeaven is considered capable of playing as a box-to-box central midfielder as well as in defence, central or left-sided.[11][12][13]
References
edit- ^ "2023/24 Premier League squad lists". Premier League. 13 September 2023. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
- ^ "Ayden Heaven". Soccerway. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ^ Collings, Simon (8 July 2024). "Arsenal transfer news: Gunners face fight over Ayden Heaven as Borussia Dortmund target deal". Evening Standard. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ^ Collings, Simon (21 February 2024). "Arsenal transfer news: Academy star Ayden Heaven attracting Premier League interest". Evening Standard. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ^ Canton, Tom (21 February 2024). "Who are James Sweet and Ayden Heaven? – Arsenal youngsters drafted in for Porto clash". Football.London. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ^ Vegas, Paul (9 July 2024). "BORUSSIA DORTMUND HEAVEN PRESSURE ARRIVES FOR ARSENAL". Tribal Football. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ^ Haigh, Phil (16 August 2024). "Mikel Arteta backs three Arsenal youngsters to step up this season". Metro.co.uk. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ^ "SPURS VS ARSENAL 0-1". Soccerway. 15 September 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ^ "SETFORD, HEAVEN THRILLED WITH WINNING ARSENAL DEBUTS". Tribal Football. 31 October 2024. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ Vassell, Zac (22 May 2024). "Report: England MU18s 4-2 Northern Ireland". England Football. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
- ^ Connor, Lee (8 July 2024). "Borussia Dortmund now want to sign Arsenal teenager who Mikel Arteta had in first-team training last season". tbrfootball. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ^ Gallagher, Jack (16 August 2024). "4 of Arsenal's potential breakout stars of 2024/25 season". 90min.com. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ^ Kaynak, Kaya (19 July 2024). "Arsenal predicted XI vs Bournemouth as two youngsters start and new signing involved". Football.London. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
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