Arsene Wenger has hailed Arsenal’s 6ft 7in goalkeeper Matt Macey after the 23-year-old gave another assured performance.

The giant keeper who the Gunners paid Bristol Rovers £100,000 to prise him from the Pirates under-18 side in October 2013 again impressed between the posts after making his debut last month in the Carbao Cup against Norwich City at the Emirates.

The Bath-born netminder looked calm and confident during his Euro debut against Red Star Belgrade in Group H of the Europa League at the Emirates on Thursday evening.

Speaking after the long-serving Frenchman praised his attributes, saying: “I think he took his chance very well. He is huge. He is quick. You do not often find combinations of that size and that speed. He is very agile, as well, for a guy who is very tall like that. He came late to us.

“Considering normally the goalkeepers come at the age of 16, he came at 20 basically.

“But he is intelligent and very focused and that’s why I was pleased to give him a chance. I think he took it already against Norwich and against Red Star he played very well.”

Analysing his own performance following the clean sheet against the Serbians Macey said: “It was obviously a big occasion for me. To play in Europe is a big step in my career, but the boys made it easy in front of me, they defended well and it was good test because they’re a good side, but it’s about building on that now.

“The dream when you join Arsenal as a kid, to go on and be a regular and it’s just part of the stepping stones, but there’s a lot more hard work and I’ve got a lot more to do to make the next step.”