Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech dwarfed by 21-year-old giant Matt Macey during 2015/16 squad photo

Matt Macey could make his first-team debut this season after being included in the first team

Jack de Menezes
Friday 11 September 2015 07:04 EDT
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Arsenal's 2015/16 first-team squad
Arsenal's 2015/16 first-team squad (Getty Images)

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Despite failing to sign a single outfield player in the summer transfer window, Arsenal have waited until now to take their full first-team squad photo after a number of players returned from international duty.

With just one new addition in Petr Cech added this summer plus a whole host of player exits including Lukas Podolski and Abou Diaby, the squad picture has a very familiar looks to it – with one exception.

Given that 23-year-old goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez spending the 2015/16 season on loan at Wolves, a place among the three goalkeepers came up for grabs and was duly filled by man-mountain Matt Macey.

While you’d expect all eyes to be on new signing Cech in the middle of the back row, it’s the man that towers over him on his right that attracts the attention. At 6’6”, Macey is the tallest member of the Gunners squad, and he makes David Ospina look tiny in comparison.

Arsenal's 2015/16 first-team squad
Arsenal's 2015/16 first-team squad (Getty Images)
A rear view of Arsenal's three goalkeepers alongside their teammates
A rear view of Arsenal's three goalkeepers alongside their teammates (Getty Images)
Arsenal goalkeepers Matt Macey and Petr Cech
Arsenal goalkeepers Matt Macey and Petr Cech (Getty Images)

Signed in 2014 from Bristol Rovers after deciding against joining Everton, Macey could be set to make his Arsenal debut this season with the Capital One Cup the most likely option for him to gain first-team experience.

The 21-year-old spent part of last season on loan with Accrington Stanley in League two, and it’s fair to say that the Arsenal first-team will be a step up from anything he has experienced in his short career.

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