Matt Macey quietly received a contract extension to 2021 in recent months, which may now prove crucial following Bernd Leno’s injury.

matt macey
Matt Macey

According to Guardian reporter Nick Ames, Matt Macey had a one-year extension clause in his Arsenal contract expiring this summer. The club decided to activate the clause in recent months, extending his deal to 2021.

This would only have been a minor story until this week, which is probably why no one picked up on it. However, suddenly Macey is in the mix for first-team starts after the seemingly serious injury to Bernd Leno.

Emi Martinez will probably start all of Arsenal’s remaining games, but if he needs a break or picks up a red card or injury, Macey is next in line.

If Macey hadn’t extended, this would leave Arsenal with just one senior keeper from July 1st onwards. They have a few backup goalkeepers in the youth squad, but it’s better to have someone with senior experience available.

Macey spent time on loan with Accrington Stanley, Luton Town and Plymouth Argyle in the past, and he also made his Arsenal debut back in 2017.

Hopefully, Martinez’s form will mean we don’t need Macey in the next few weeks. But it’s his chance to prove himself if called upon.