17-year-old goalkeeper Harry Seaden is training with the Arsenal u18s, as the club look to fill the gap created by multiple goalkeeping injuries, according to youth expert Jeorge Bird.
As we reported over the weekend, Deyan Iliev and Karl Hein’s injuries, David Ospina, Emi Martinez and Matt Macey’s loans and Daniel Barden leaving for Norwich have left the club very light in the goalkeeping department. Currently, these are the options fit and available for the first-team, u23s and u18s:
- Bernd Leno (26 years old)
- Petr Cech (36)
- Arthur Okonkwo (17)
- Tom Smith (17)
- James Hillson (18) – Youth Loanee
- Hubert Graczyk (15)
Clearly, things are starting to get a little tight, even with James Hillson joining on a youth loan. As a result, it seems the club have brought in Southend goalkeeper Harry Seaden to train with the u18s, possibly with a view to another youth loan.
Looks like Southend goalkeeper Harry Seaden is training with Arsenal U18s, who have had to cope with injuries in that department recently.
— Jeorge Bird (@jeorgebird) February 18, 2019
Seaden is currently contracted to Southend, playing with their youth side. However, in the last couple of months, he’s been getting senior experience in non-league football by playing for Great Wakering Rovers. He’s made five appearances for the GWR first team since January 5th.
Seaden actually faced up against the Arsenal u18s competitively last season, playing in goal for Colchester United u18s in the FA Youth Cup.
It’s unclear at this point whether the teenager will be around with the club until the end of the season or if he’s just helping out in training. We’ll have to wait and see.