By Lloyd Webb
It has been a rollercoaster few months for Kaylen Hinds.
The teenager travelled to Chile to represent England Under-17s at the World Cup and impressed in South America by claiming a goal in their first game of the tournament.
Hinds was joined in the Three Lions squad by team-mates Stephy Mavididi and Chris Willock but Neil Dewsnip’s side disappointingly crashed out in the group stage.
"Not many people my age have that experience"
Kaylen Hinds
Hinds then missed Arsenal Under-21s’ 2-1 win against Brighton due to injury but recovered to captain the under-18s in their 4-1 triumph against West Brom in the FA Youth Cup.
The attacker will be looking to draw on his international experience ahead of the under-21s’ game against West Ham at Upton Park on Monday.
“It is a very good feeling to pull on the Three Lions shirt,” Hinds told Arsenal.com. “It felt very good because, abroad, they are much more eager to play. They want to be in our position and in better teams so they are very good out there.
“It is very important because you are playing against different teams with different kind of style from all around the world so it was a good test for me. It was a different culture. It [Chile] is definitely a seasonal country.
"I think in the first game we did well. I scored a goal, I think we didn’t have luck as a team but individually we did well. Not many people my age have that experience so I must take on what I learnt when playing for Arsenal and do my best.”
The under-21s beat West Ham 5-1 in August at Emirates Stadium and Hinds is looking for a similar performance on Monday evening to secure Steve Gatting’s side's second consecutive win.
“It will be difficult but then again we are Arsenal so we are expected to beat them and play our football,” he said. “We will prepare the same way we prepared for them last time when we beat them 5-1 - just keep the ball, keep playing and score goals like Arsenal do."
Follow @Arsenal on Twitter from 6:55pm (UK time) on Monday for live updates of the game against West Ham United.
Kaylen Hinds
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