Hayden Sent to the Eye of the Tiger

It is a busy day in the Arsenal youth ranks with regards to loans. Along with Jon Toral's loan to Birmingham City confirmed by the club moments ago, we now have word that promising defensive prospect Isaac Hayden is set to spend the 2015/16 campaign with freshly relegated Hull City. Hayden, who typically plays in defensive midfield but has also featured at centerback for Arsenal's youth teams, will certainly get a lot of defensive experience playing for Steve Bruce in the Championship.

Hayden missed much of last season due to injury which stagnated his development. It is fair to wonder what might have happened with one Francis Coquelin had Isaac Hayden been healthy in late December. Considering the desperation with which Coquelin was recalled from his loan, it's conceivable that Arsene Wenger might have given his in-house option a shot at defensive midfield prior to recalling the Frenchman.

Alas, there's no use diving into what possibly happened in that likely darker timeline. With the defensive midfield position still a short-term and long-term question mark for the club, Hayden should be highly motivated to prove his worth while on loan this season. If he performs well, he will likely get a chance to break into the Arsenal first-team squad next preseason.

We here at The Short Fuse wish Isaac all the best in his year at Hull.