Arsenal Academy’s Deadline Day Double Scoop – Evan Mooney & Jaden Dixon

Arsenal attracting youth after their bright products from Hale End getting a run for the first team over the season’s isn’t a surprise. With Max Dowman, Marli Salmon, Andre Harriman Annous, Ife Ibrahim and Brando Bailey Joseph seeing minutes this season; it’s moulded the credibility of the academy to attract young crop of players.

The academy also saw a couple of exits over the past 6 months in order to rejuvenate their squad in attack/midfield. Dan Casey’s contract expiring, Louie Copley out on loan to Crawley Town and most recently; Osman Kamara exiting to join Blackburn Rovers. Arsenal bought the services of Evan Mooney.

The need to target a CB in the academy was a decision made by the management after the sale of Maldini Kacurri to Grimsby Town and Will Sweet’s move to Dagenham on a season long loan. Both, who’ve played their parts in U21 football. Arsenal signed the services of Jaden Dixon.

All these were signs that the academy had to prioritise a certain spending spree to keep their position on a competitive front after a rather slow start to the league, both for the U18’s and U21’s. Below is an effort to break down the player profiles of the new signings.

Jaden Dixon – Player Breakdown

Age – 18
Former Club – Stoke City
Position – CB/RB
Preferred Foot – Right Foot
Height – 6’2

The versatile defender is a former Spurs academy graduate, joining Stoke City in the 2023. Dixon over the past season has played senior minutes in the Championship and Carabao Cup (6 games). A regular for Stoke’s U21s and England’s U19 setup.

Having put pen to paper for a reported fee of £3.2M, on a 4 year deal. Whilst still being eligible to play U18 minutes, it’s expected he’d slot in for the U21 side in defence as a like for like replacement to Kacurri who was on loan at Morecambe in the first half of the season.

Player Profile

Jaden is a reliable defensive centre half who shows solid defensive ability in screening and marking players. On the back foot as a CB, asks for players to come to him rather than imposing himself as an aggressive defender, giving him an upper hand in clearing out plays.

As a defender, you need your centre back to give you the essence of calmness on the ball and that’s exactly what Dixon brings to the table from both CB/RB. Composed passes from deep; short passes to the centre and long passes wide.

Mentioned his versatility previously, he’s capable of playing as the fullback too. That’s him comfortable playing as a centre centre back (CCB), wide centre back (RCB) and also at right back (RB). Certain similarities in him and Ben White. Different profile from an agile Josh Nichols and astute Jurriën Timber

Playing for Stoke City’s different setups has solidified his box defending and positioning due to them constantly shifting 4/5 at the backs. Sharp in intercepting play, man marking attackers and aerially clearing out passages due to his tall frame.

Whilst being pressurised in the deeper spaces, he shows good levels of concentration in staying press resistant. You can spot the athleticism he’s got to offer; the quick feet, agile turns and the additional pace to chase the ball out of the danger zone.

Evan Mooney – Player Breakdown

Age – 18
Former Club – St Mirren
Position – AM/CF/RW
Preferred Foot – Right Foot
Height – 5’11

Evan Mooney had been a regular for St Mirren in the Premiership this season making a total of 11 appearances, all off the bench. He’s gone onto making 23 appearances in all competitions after making his senior debut in the 2024/25 season.

Another versatile product coming out of Scotland, Mooney is comfortable playing at AM, CF and RW. A regular for Scotland’s U19 setup. Being reportedly signed for a fee of £400K, Mooney is expected to play for Arsenal’s U21 side.

Player Profile

As an orthodox winger positioned mainly on the right under the potency of his stronger right foot, Mooney is capable of taking on players with smart dribbles rather than innovative ones. Not the flashy player to use feints, chops or cut inside to provide threat.

As a winger, he’s a clean dribbler who majorly settles on playing crosses into the box; shy as a dribbler. Cutbacks are his go to weapon in shot creating actions. His ZOI could well and truly be as an attacking midfielder crashing the box – a common pattern in majority of his goals.

Key to note, he’s also been utilised as a striker in youth setups which allows room for development in another position. Whilst being positioned back to goal, his body usage to receive the ball shows immense strength to knock off defenders, solid skill for his age.

He’s got a certain intricacy in passing; doesn’t rush them and neither tries the extravagant breaking of lines. As per watching clips, he’s someone who thrives on movement besides him to get the best out of him/his team.

Off the ball, Mooney’s pressing triggers are mature enough to make him a threat from the first phase of press. Demonstrates intelligence to block passing lanes and also remain on his toes to bounce off poor clearances.

Conclusion

Whilst I’m confident that Arsenal’s Academy can make the most of Jaden Dixon’s profile as a defender, I can’t say the same about Evan Mooney’s talent. However, if they both do get a healthy run for the U21s, they’d benefit the squad quite a lot – leading to profit in the future