Justin On Target

After all the withdrawals in this strangely positioned international week I’m delighted to be able to mention Justin Hoyte’s match-winning performance for the England U-21’s in Holland.

Justin has been on the fringe of things for a while now and spent last season freezing his cobs off at Sunderland in a vain attempt to help the Black Cats survive the drop. Nobody could accuse him of being afraid of hard work!

Injuries to Clichy, Lauren, Senderos, and Eboue have given him some game time for the Gunners this season. Although he can play across the back four he has the problem, when everybody is fit, of probably being third choice for each of the defensive positions.

Certainly at his preferred right-back berth he lacks the attacking impact of Eboue, or the steel of Lauren. That having been said, he is proving to be a valuable squad player and deserves a little more credit than he has been given.

There is a new crop of fine young defenders coming up behind, including his very impressive brother Gavin. That makes this a make or break season for Justin, and his recent performances, capped by last night’s impressive goal, could well have put him firmly back in Wenger’s thoughts.

At the end of the day his Gunners career could depend on if he is happy to continue as a squad player, or will his ambition as a good young defender lead him to seek a first team opportunity elsewhere? The dearth of good young English right-backs could be the decisive factor, and Justin may have to look for regular football elsewhere if he is to challenge for a full international cap.

Good luck lad.