Arsenal fans praised Daniel Ballard’s performance in the League One play-off final on Sunday as Blackpool beat Lincoln City 2-1 at Wembley.
Play-off final encounters are pretty nervy affairs for all involved, but Arsenal’s academy product remained solid at the back today.
It wasn’t the best of starts for Blackpool because they were 1-0 down inside a minute, but Neil Critchley’s men remained composed and fought back to book their place in England’s second-tier next season.
Other Hale End products, such as Joe Willock, Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka may get the headlines for their performances this season.
But another of their Arsenal teammates is perhaps excelling them all in Ballard, and it will be interesting to see what happens with him this summer.
Arsenal are already jam-packed in the defensive department, so does Mikel Arteta have a look at the Northern Ireland international and give him a shot?
Or does he let his current path continue and make the logical choice of sending him back on loan to Blackpool next season given that they are now stepping up a division?
Either way, the Arsenal faithful are liking what they are seeing from Ballard, who is another academy star providing some light to the darkness over the Emirates.
Arsenal have been crying out for a centre-back to add some quality to their backline and they may now have a player showing signs that he could the one for the future.
Here is a selection of Arsenal fans reacting to Ballard’s performance in the League One play-off final today:
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