Thomas Cruise... in Champions League action last year
Cruise – Why a loan move appeals to me
- Podolski - This Arsenal team excites me
- Oxlade-Chamberlain - I will play with no fear
- Podolski - I will hit the ground running
- Lukas Podolski in Arsenal colours - Pictures
- Nine Gunners selected for Euro 2012 so far
- Top 20 Most Liked
By Giuseppe Muro
Thomas Cruise has his sights set on a first-team place this season, but the 19 year-old accepts that he may have to go on loan to gain valuable experience.
Islington-born Cruise, who made his senior Arsenal debut in a Champions League group match at Olympiacos last December, continued his steady progress with an impressive stint for England at this summer’s European Under-19 Championships in France.
Cruise featured for the Reserves in their opening game of the 2010/11 season but intends to push himself as much as possible in the months to come. That could result in a loan move, though the young defender does not want to surrender his footballing principles.
“I’d like to go out on loan this season and get experience, something which would be a big benefit for me,” Cruise told Arsenal.com.
“If the chance arises, I’d like to move to a team that likes to play a good passing game. Also, as well as defence, I’d like to play in midfield where you see a lot of the ball and are more involved.
“Obviously I’d like to get into the Carling Cup squad but if I don’t get that chance, I’ll happily go on loan.
“Then hopefully when I come back I could get involved in the first team. But I haven’t spoken to the manager yet.”
Cruise, who joined the club as a scholar in the summer of 2007, believes his time away with England was invaluable for his development. He played a key role in the Young Lions’ progress to the Semi-Final stage where they were beaten by Spain.
“Playing against the top international teams in the world was great,” he said.
“I played in quite a few positions out there as well, which was nice. I definitely took something out of the experience. Unfortunately we didn’t do enough to get to the Final but I learned a lot.”
He even managed to score a rare goal in the opening game of the tournament against Austria, and remembers it well. “I haven’t scored for years, it’s been ages. It was a great feeling,” smiled Cruise.
[Friday, September 03, 2010]
More Arsenal News
-
Mon, May 14, 2012
Loan Watch: Botelho's Levante secure Europe -
Wed, May 9, 2012
Eisfeld - Mertesacker has helped me settle -
Wed, May 9, 2012
Young Guns: Jack Jebb -
Wed, May 9, 2012
Young Guns: Chuba Akpom -
Mon, May 7, 2012
Loan Watch: Wellington scores for Alcoyano -
Fri, May 4, 2012
Martinez joins Oxford on emergency loan -
Thu, May 3, 2012
Loan Watch: Arshavin extends scoring streak -
Thu, May 3, 2012
'It was a good performance from box to box' -
Wed, May 2, 2012
Reserve League: Arsenal 0-2 Everton - Report -
Wed, May 2, 2012
Reserves: Arsenal v Everton - Preview
