Meet Man Utd transfer target Ayden Heaven, 18, the Arsenal star likened to Vieira and closing in on Old Trafford move
Meet Man Utd transfer target Ayden Heaven, 18, the Arsenal star likened to Vieira and closing in on Old Trafford move
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IN Ayden Heaven, it seems Arsenal have got one hell of a player - if they can keep hold of him. The 18-year-old centre-back made his competitive senior debut in October in the Gunners’ 3-0 win at Preston in the Carabao Cup fourth round – from the bench in the 80th minute.
![[two soccer players shake hands with one wearing a jersey that says visit rwanda]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-arsenal-manager-mikel-arteta-945224947.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Before that, he was one of several academy stars to feature on the club’s pre-season summer tour of the States with boss Mikel Arteta starting him against Manchester United. Heaven – standing at 6ft 3in and a left-footer – was at fault for United’s opener, outmuscled and outpaced by Rasmus Hojlund, but he recovered well as Arsenal won the game 2-1.
![[a soccer player with the number 49 on his jersey]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-arsenals-myles-lewis-skelly-945221969.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
He has gone from strength to strength since then, and now rivals United are closing in on a deal to sign the defender. The first thing you notice about Heaven is his size and physicality, the body of a young, raw Patrick Vieira who is not afraid to get stuck in.
![[a group of soccer players wearing emirates fly better jerseys pose for a photo]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ethan-nwaneri-ayden-heaven-khari-935942754.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
As shown against Hojlund in the summer, Heaven still needs time to bulk up and prove he can mix it with the biggest and most intimidating strikers in the Prem. But Arteta remained calm in that department, mainly because of Heaven’s technique and calmness on the ball.
![[a soccer player with the number 6 on his jersey holds a trophy]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ayden-heaven-950212913_def980.jpg?strip=all&w=781)
Avid watchers of Arsenal’s academy sides know Heaven very rarely loses his cool, appears unflappable in possession and has the ability to ping cross-field balls like a prime Steven Gerrard. Arsenal have another William Saliba-style defender in the making – one who is big, quick and able to start attacks from deep.
![[a poster for boy wonders featuring ayden heaven]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/BK_BOY_WONDER_Ayden_Heaven_GRAPHIC.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
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