Arsenal keeper Matt Macey joins Accrington Stanley on loan to add 'competitive edge' to game

Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Macey is hopeful of becoming the latest player to rise to prominence following a spell at Accrington Stanley after agreeing a two-month loan deal with the League Two club.

Macey has been an unused substitute twice for the Gunners this season, against Southampton and West Bromwich Albion, and is considered the latest candidate to challenge for the number one position at the Emirates Stadium.

The 20-year-old 'keeper will spend the next eight weeks learning his trade at the Crown Ground, having made a handful of appearances for Arsenal's Under-21 side for who he has kept two clean sheets in seven matches.

Injury has prevented Macey being sent out on loan to gain more experience before the January transfer window but now having moved to Accrington, the Arsenal youngster is ready to justify the hype surrounding him.

"I've been looking to get out on loan all season but due to injuries it didn't quite happen," said Macey.

"Part of developing into a top goalkeeper is going and learning your trade lower down the leagues and learn proper football, that's what people say. It's about adding that competitive edge to your game.

"I went away to Austria with the Arsenal first team in pre-season, which was a good experience, and then just at the beginning of November I was on the first-team bench for a couple of games.

"Now goalkeepers are back from injury and it's time for me to come out and play some proper football."

Manager John Coleman added on the Arsenal protégé: "League football experience is something that you can't put a price on.

"If you look at the goalkeepers that have come through our ranks and gone on to have great careers, Carl Ikeme, Darren Randolph, Rob Elliot and Marcus Bettinelli to name but four, they've catapulted their careers by playing games for Accrington."