Forgotten ex-Arsenal ace who played once & then came up against Lionel Messi out to cause one of FA Cup’s biggest shocks

ARSENAL may not be in the FA Cup fourth round, but a familiar face will be.

Gavin Hoyte is out to cause an upset when his Maidstone United side take on Championship high-flyers Ipswich Town this weekend.

Gavin Hoyte made his debut for Arsenal in 2008

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Now the 33-year-old is eyeing an FA Cup upset with non-league side Maidstone United[/caption]

Hoyte made just one Premier League appearance for Arsenal, but was on the Gunners books for over five years.

Aged just 18, Hoyte made his debut in 2008 when Arsenal were demolished 3-0 by a Man City team that included Brazilian superstar Robinho.

And despite only making that one league appearance the defender was called up to the Trinidad and Tobago national team where he faced one of the game’s greatest ever players.

Hoyte came up against Lionel Messi on his international debut in 2014 while he was on the books at Dagenham and Redbridge.

But now he is a world away from facing Messi and lining up at the Emirates Stadium for Arsenal.

The 33-year-old currently plies his trade in the National League South – England’s sixth tier – with Maidstone United who he joined in 2019.

Hoyte captains the Stones who are the lowest ranked team remaining in this year’s FA Cup.

Maidstone face second-placed Championship club Ipswich in the fourth round on Saturday and Hoyte is out to cause an upset with his underdog side.

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The former Arsenal star has admitted that despite his previous matches against the best teams and players in the world, this weekend’s clash will rank high in his achievements.

Speaking to The Bolton News, he said: “This is completely different, we’ve had six games just before this (to reach the fourth round), so it all builds up,

“I get to lead the team out – hopefully I’m playing!

“It’s definitely up there, the biggest thing in my career. I’m coming near the end of it now so I might not get this opportunity again.

“These games are easy to get up for. You’ve just got to make sure everyone is sticking to the game plan and not going off script.

“Sometimes with a big occasion you might want to do something extra but it’s very important we stick to the script.”

Hoyte bounced around the football league before finding a home at Maidstone with spells at Brighton, Lincoln City and AFC Wimbledon along the way.

Fans who tune in to watch his non-league side attempt a giant-killing on Saturday will see another familiar face too.

Maidstone are managed by Premier League cult hero George Elokobi who was best known for his spell at Wolves.

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Hoyte and Maidstone earned their spot in the FA Cup fourth round with a win over League One outfit Stevenage[/caption]

The defender has come a long way since his days in north London