Date: 28th October 2014 at 7:22pm
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In Arsenal’s recent Champions League clash against Anderlecht, Arsene Wenger was forced to call the Gunners sixth choice ‘keeper Ryan Huddart up to the squad due to Wojciech Szczesny’s suspension and David Ospina’s injury.

Thankfully, Arsenal’s No.1 for the night against the Belgium outfit Emiliano Martinez wasn’t sent off or injured, so young Ryan wasn’t needed.

We had a similar situation in our recent 2-2 draw with Steve Bruce’s Hull City at the Emirates, with relative unknown Semi Ajayi taking up the final spot on our substitutes bench – again, the youngster was an unused substitute.

So, although Ryan and Semi didn’t get on the pitch in their respective games, something I’m sure they were eager to do, will they get another chance? And are they Arsenal ‘material’?

The No.1 spot is Wojciech Szczesny’s and it will take something drastic for the Poland international to lose his starting berth. We also now have a more than adequate replacement in David Ospina who, at just 26, won’t be going anywhere soon.

Ryan certainly can stake a claim for third-choice ‘keeper, though, and you never know what can happen after that!

Ajayi is a 21-year-old central defender, who arrived on a free transfer from Charlton Athletic after impressing on trial with the Gunners in 2013.

With injuries to Laurent Koscielny, Isaac Hayden and Mathieu Debuchy, the amount of time Kieran Gibbs spends in the treatment room and Calum Chambers impressive ability to consistently pick up yellow cards, Ajayi must fancy his chances at a crack at first-team football.

 

One response to “Who are Arsenal’s latest surprise substitutes?”

  1. Tony says:

    How does someone playing behind the 3rd choice goalkeeper become 6th choice and not 4th? Were the 4th and 5th choices also injured? May be there are no choices after 3rd choice. May be the manager just picked one of his youth team keepers for that game. Period. He could have picked any of the lads. The fact that he had them all in for training means even he wasn’t sure who of them is his 4th or 5th or 6th choice.