Arsenal look set to lose yet another academy prospect, with Manchester United the team to benefit once again.

Ayden Heaven turned down a contract offer from the Gunners and will now make the move to Manchester, with Ruben Amorim's side expected to finalise the deal in the coming days. The 18-year-old, described as "remarkable" by Mikel Arteta, made his senior debut against Preston in the Carabao Cup back in October and has been involved in a number of matchday squads this campaign.

With Gabriel, William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior, Riccardo Calafiori, Ben White and Jurrien Timber all capable of playing centre-back under Arteta, it was always going to be hard for Heaven to establish himself and that may be one of the reasons why he has chosen to move on. In fact, 19-year-old centre-back Maldini Kacurri was perhaps above Heaven in the pecking order, with the teenager named in more Arsenal matchday squads this season.

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According to the Manchester Evening News, Man Utd see Heaven as a first-team signing and will provide cover for the likes of Lisandro Martinez. The youngster would just not get those opportunities in north London and it perhaps highlights a big problem Arsenal have at the minute.

Last summer, Hale Ender Chido Obi-Martin swapped London for Manchester despite Arsenal's attempt to keep the teenager at the club. Now 17, the striker went viral after scoring 10 goals against Liverpool Under-16s and was considered to be one of the most prolific frontmen in his age group. Obi-Martin has nine goals in nine appearances this term and it's only a matter of time until he makes his senior debut under Amorim.

Heaven and Obi-Martin are not the only Hale Enders to leave Arsenal in recent years due to a lack of pathway to the first team. Amario Cozier-Duberry and Reuell Walters were offered new deals by the club but instead chose to leave, with Brighton and Luton Town snapping the duo up respectively. Both players departed in the summer, with Cozier-Duberry now getting regular minutes on loan with Blackburn in the Championship and Walters already playing 13 games for the Hatters.

With Heaven looking likely to leave the club in the coming days, just like fellow Arsenal academy prospects Obi-Martin, Cozier-Duberry and Walters have done in recent months, it highlights a clear problem in north London right now. Academy graduates clearly, at this time, do not see an obvious pathway to the first team and that must change. Arteta and the club may have to start trusting youngsters more, although when you are competing for major honours it is a fine balance.

It can be done, though, as clubs like Liverpool have shown in recent years. The Reds regularly get decent fees for some of their academy graduates and if a player is deemed to be not good enough for the first team that, ultimately, is the goal. Arsenal simply cannot afford to keep losing their best talents to other teams. This must not become a regular occurrence.