Arsenal have confirmed that Zech Medley will spend next season on loan with Gillingham.
The 20-year-old centre-back moves to the Priestfield Stadium to gain valuable first team experience having made three substitute appearances for the Gunners.
The move makes sense given his path to regular first team action is currently blocked by seven other candidates; David Luiz, Rob Holding, Sokratis, injured trio Shkodran Mustafi, Calum Chambers and Pablo Mari and new boy William Saliba.
While there’s a chance a couple of the above could leave, we’re also being heavily linked with another defender – Lille’s Gabriel Magalhães.
“We are delighted that Zech has joined us,” manager Steve Evans told the Gillingham website.
“The lad has taken his time, spoken to numerous clubs and he is a superb addition.
“I would like to acknowledge the support of Mikel Arteta and his staff at Arsenal for agreeing that Zech should continue his education here.
“He is actually a Medway boy, he went to school in Gillingham and his family still live here, in many ways he is one of our own.”
Anyway, best of luck to Zech in the rough and tumble of League One. He’ll have Joe Willock’s brother, Matty, for company.
All the best son. Come back stronger.
Best move for him. Zech have everything to succeed at Arsenal. He’s big, and very tall and a left footed cb. I see Arteta and Pep have something for left footed cb’s. He’s not the answer now but if he can go out there and develop well he could be a part of the team in the next 3 season. David Luiz, Mustafi, Sokratis, Holding, Chambers etc won’t be around by then, and he will be able to bench an aging Pablo Mari who will be at least 29 or 30 by then.
Reading the article reminded me that we really need to thin out the centre backs. We’ve certainly got the quantity – but equally not the quality in depth. Not only does having so many block progress of youngsters, but what must the wage bill for that lot be? Savings have already been made elsewhere – it’s time to call time on our center back “society”.
Chris, Joe, now Matty; just how many Willocks’ are there? ?
I think that’s the lot. Matty was previously on the youth books at United if I’m not mistaken.
Just the 3. All of them played for Arsenal youth at some point
And the best one of them is still on our books
Glad to hear it. He’s a big lad and decent on the ball, so should fair well in the rough and tumble of League One. Best of luck to him.
You’ll excel, Medley.?
I hope he gets to start 25+ games. This will be great for his career, good move.
The few times I saw him, he looked the real deal. Tall, quick for a cb, good distribution. Thought he might have seen a bit more action this season being left footed. Would put him above quite a few of those listed right now.