I grew up in Woodford, and football was always around me. My dad and brother both played at semi-professional level, so naturally I wanted to follow in their footsteps. 

As a kid I was a forward and of course I looked up to players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. I just wanted to be like them. My dad’s side of the family are Jamaican and my mum’s side is Mauritian.

I love the food from both cultures: jerk chicken, rice and peas, curry goat from the Jamaican side, and from Mauritius, watercress soup with rice and spices. I’ve been to Mauritius before. It’s beautiful with amazing weather, and I hope to visit Jamaica in the future.

I started out at grassroots with a local club called Global, and from there I was scouted by Arsenal. I went on trial at nine years old, and by the under-11s I was playing full seasons with the club. I’ve been here ever since.

The switch to centre back happened during that first trial. I’d been scouted as a forward, but the coaches pushed me into defence. I played well, and it stuck. I was still young and just thrilled to be at Arsenal, so I didn’t mind where I played. Wearing the shirt was all that mattered.

Looking back on my Hale End days, the standout memories are definitely the tours. The trip to Florida was especially fun and still sticks with me, though the Brazil tour was another great experience. Winning the Premier League Cup against Chelsea was also special. Lifting silverware is always a great feeling.

Last season, I had the chance to play at Emirates Stadium in the FA Youth Cup. Walking out onto that pitch was unforgettable. The result didn’t go our way, but the experience was incredible and it’s something I want to repeat many more times in the future. 

My journey to the first team has been quite quick. It really began when I joined the pre-season camp at La Manga, just before the tour of Hong Kong and Singapore. I trained well there, and when I got back the staff told me there was a chance I’d be involved in the tour. I’d already played an in-house game against Watford with the first team, so I had a small taste, but being selected for the tour was a massive step.

Then came the surreal moment. Mikel called my name to play against Milan and Newcastle. At first, I thought he was calling someone else, but when it sank in I was buzzing. I felt ready and adapted well once I came on. The first-team players were fantastic with me.

They look after you, make you feel welcome, and it really does feel like a family. Mikel himself is brilliant. His attention to detail is unreal, and he genuinely cares about my development. 

Having someone my age like Max around has been great too. I’ve watched him grow, and he’s doing what he’s always done but now he’s doing it on the biggest stage in the Premier League. The experience in Asia was unforgettable. 

We had a lot of fun off the pitch too. I even had to do an initiation and sang “You Remind Me” by Usher.

The hotel had darts and a games room, which helped us bond. I’ve played at every level from under-16s up to the first team and, funnily enough, I’ve found it gets easier the higher you go. The quality around you naturally lifts your game, although the pace is much quicker and you have to adapt fast.

For the rest of the season, my goals are simple: keep improving, developing and refining my game. I made big strides over the summer, but I know there’s a lot more to come.