Boro chairman Steve Gibson confirmed earlier this week that the club had made an undisclosed bid for the 23-year-old who has struggled to establish himself in the Gunners side since coming through the academy.

Gareth Southgate is eager to bolster his options at right-back after the sale of Luke Young to Aston Villa, with only inexperienced duo Tony McMahon and Rhys Williams at his disposal.

Hartlepool-born Taylor thinks Hoyte, who enjoyed a season-long loan spell with Sunderland in 2005/06, would be a welcome addition to the squad after playing alongside the 23-year-old at international level.

Taylor said: "We are all aware that the manager is trying to bring in a right-back and Justin Hoyte seems to be the main target.

"I have played with him at U21 level and he is a young and enthusiastic player.

"He has played up here before with Sunderland and I think his girlfriend is from up here so I don't think it will be a problem settling down in the area.

"If the manager brings him in then brilliant, if not we have got young Rhys Williams and Tony McMahon who can play there."

Southgate's recruitment programme so far this summer has been limited to flying winger Marvin Emnes and tough-tackling midfielder Didier Digard.

Both are relatively inexperienced but Taylor has liked what he has seen of the young duo during pre-season.

Digard is the more likely to start Saturday's Premiership opener against Spurs, with fellow central midfielders Julio Arca (ankle) and Gary O'Neil (calf) both likely to be ruled out.

Taylor said: "Both Didier and Marvin have impressed me. They are both young lads which is what the manager is trying to build.

"Didier has impressed me the most. We sold Lee Cattermole who is a good aggressive young player and Didier has come in and for me has been outstanding.

"He is only 22 and he is filling the gap left by Cats (Cattermole) and George (Boateng).

"He is aggressive and can pass the ball and hopefully he can play a major part in our season.

"Marvin has played on both wings and he is tricky. We have been missing a right winger and he is so quick – I don't like marking him too much in training!

"Obviously you have got to be able to do something with the ball and hopefully he can.

"I think Didier will start against Spurs because we have only got two or three central midfielders who are fit."