Isaac Hayden has declared he has no regrets about leaving Arsenal.
The Shields Gazette reports that the defender is determined to be a success at St James Park:
It’s been fantastic.
It’s just been about getting used to the manager and what he expects from me. I’ve been getting used to the formations and training. It’s been a bit of a whirlwind. I’ve enjoyed every second of it.”
It’s s shame at Arsenal I never really got a chance to show what I was capable of, but, for me, Newcastle is a massive club. To get the opportunity to come and a chance to progress my football is huge.
As soon as I got the opportunity, I took it with both hands.
It’s no surprise that he’s positive about the move. A look at Arsenal’s squad shows he had little chance of progressing with Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gabriel and Calum Chambers ahead of him.
Their loss is our gain as far as I’m concerned. Reports suggest Hayden played well for Hull City at this level last year whilst he was on loan last season. It was surprising they never took up the option to take the centre back on a permanent basis.
We’ve got to add depth to the squad still and Hayden can expect competition for his place. That’s the way it has to be and if he expected an easy ride, he signed for the wrong club.
Signings made now are not just to get us out of the Championship but also to keep our place in the Premier League. Hayden seems to have the quality for that; hopefully he will deliver when it matters.
