Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Justin Hoyte to fight for a spot at Arsenal

Arsenal right-back Justin Hoyte has stated that he would like to stay and fight for a place at the club, despite stiff competition from Bacary Sagna, Emanuel Eboue, Lassana Diarra and Mathieu Flamini.

The 22 year-old made nearly as many appearances as Eboue last season, but it seems as though he will be missing first team chances this season as new signing Bacary Sagna has been a rock at right-back. Hoyte showed some good team spirit, telling Arsenal TV Online how the competition would do good for the team:

"Yes the competition is tough but it is the same as last year with Emmanuel Eboue playing and Mathieu Flamini in there sometimes too. Competition is good for us and good for the team. Hopefully I can work hard in training and break into the team. I just want to play as much as I can."

The youngster will have a hard time breaking into the first team as long as Sagna is injury-free, but if Sagna remains injured, Hoyte is just as likely to be played in his place as anyone else. It's great to see the talented 22 year-old speak well of his teammates after Jens Lehmann's mutterings about how he is the most mature of Arsenal's goalkeepers.

It may benefit Arsenal if Hoyte is played against Tottenham at White Heart Lane as his optimism would certainly help the team. He himself is hoping to book a starting birth on Saturday:

"It is very important. Ever since my youth days that was the one game we looked forward to. It is important for the fans and you just want to win it."

Click here for a preview of the Tottenham vs. Arsenal game