Arsenal hold Ayden Heaven contract talks as Gunners look to keep wonderkid | OneFootball

Youngster has trained with Mikel Arteta’s first-team regularly this season

Arsenal have held contract talks with Ayden Heaven as they look to tie the youngster down to his first professional contract.

Arsenal are in negotiations with Heaven about a professional contract and talks are ongoing as they look to find an agreement.

The 18-year-old was part of the same scholarship group as Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, representing England at Under-19 level alongside them.

Heaven was part of Arsenal’s pre-season tour to the US this summer and has trained regularly with the first team this season.

The teenager made his senior debut in October at Preston in the Carabao Cup after previously being on the bench.

Heaven was part of the squad that travelled to Porto last season in the Champions League, while he has also been on the bench for games against Manchester United and Tottenham.

The teenager is a left-footed defender and has impressed for Arsenal and England’s youth teams.

Heaven is also capable of playing at the base of midfield and he made 17 appearances for Arsenal’s Under-21 side last season. He also played five times in the UEFA Youth League.

Heaven began his youth career at West Ham, joining them at the age of eight and spending four years there. He was let go at the age of 12 and spent a few months with Chelsea on trial.

The Blues did not keep Heaven on and he elected to join Arsenal after also attracting interest from Fulham.