TITLE or no title celebrations next Sunday, Isaac Hayden is looking forward to the curtain coming down on his first season at Newcastle United then preparing for the biggest season of his career.

Despite spending eight years on the books of Arsenal, Hayden has never played in the Premier League, even though he was highly-regarded in North London, with the Gunners reluctant to allow him to leave last summer.

That should all change next season, when he will look to build on an impressive first campaign with the Magpies by stepping up to the top-flight after enjoying back-to-back promotions in the Championship.

The difference to last year, though, is that he was only on loan when Hull City progressed from the play-offs. This time he is an important part of Rafael Benitez’s squad after moving from Arsenal in a permanent £2.5m deal last summer.

No wonder, then, that the 22-year-old is already excited about what lies ahead, having shown plenty of signs in the centre of midfield to suggest he will be able to develop into an effective Premier League player.

Hayden said: “Maybe this is the biggest summer I have had. Last summer I went back to Arsenal and I knew I wasn’t going to be staying there, so it was a bit of a frustrating time after promotion.

“I wanted to make sure I was playing football and it’s not easy when you know you might have to leave, especially when the club doesn’t want you to go initially.”

Hayden only made two appearances for Arsenal in the League Cup before leaving, but has learned a lot from his time there, having joined from Southend when he was just 13.

He said: “I was very frustrated with my time at Arsenal. I felt I deserved more of a chance and I got an injury at a key time.

“You need to take advantage of small windows.

“I have a point to prove to myself. I know I am capable of playing Premier League football and hopefully that will be next season.”

Hayden scored the second of Newcastle’s goals at Cardiff City on Friday night when they kept the heat on leaders Brighton in the battle for the title. The Seagulls’ defeat at home to Bristol City on Saturday means the title will be decided on the final day.

Newcastle played with more freedom in South Wales, having already been assured of automatic promotion following victory at the start of the week over Preston.

Hayden is relieved to be able to plan his summer after his experiences of the play-offs 12 months ago.

He said: “You have to wait before you book your holidays because you don’t want to, or plan in your head, when things aren’t done properly.

“None of the lads had booked their holidays, we all knew we had to get the job done first.

“We all wanted to get the wins to get over the line. I’m pretty sure when we did get over the line there were a few lads rushing out to book their holidays!

“Even then, the next day, we went back to training and had to be focused for the Cardiff game and we will be preparing for the Barnsley game on Sunday as well.

“We are all professionals, we want to win them all.”

Newcastle’s last two wins have put the play-off threat to bed and that was a relief all-round, having shown signs that the pressure of the promotion race was getting to the players; they had won just two of their previous eight.

Hayden said: “We have shown we could handle that pressure.

“We handled the pressure. Even when we were level with Preston, we got the job done and then enjoyed the trip to Cardiff.

“After the Barnsley game it will be about resting and recovering.

“Overall we have a young squad, people can easily forget that.

“There is plenty of time for us all to improve and I am sure we will.

“To be in pressure situations like we have been in recent weeks will only help us.

“Playing in big games, high-pressure games, is what every footballer should want to do.”