In Young Guns, featured first in the official matchday programme, we find out about the next generation of Arsenal youngsters, in their own words. This week we spoke to winger Aaron Eyoma.
I feel very relaxed about my football at the moment and I think feeling that way is the best way to making the most of your abilities. A big part of that is that I have just signed my first professional contract with Arsenal.
It’s taken that question mark from the back of my mind and has given me the confidence to express myself more in a way that does not look that I am trying too hard to get a contract.
"I do really enjoy having Thierry Henry as one of our coaches too. He talks a lot to us, we get a lot of advice on all aspects and he joins in training matches too. I have never had to face him though - I think he likes being on my team!"
It’s the highlight of my career so far but I know my new target is to achieve my second contract, and so I have to keep on working as hard as always. What’s good is that now I can try and add something extra without fear because I have the security of my first contract.
I gain confidence from the fact that it’s a clear commitment from Arsenal that they feel I have the ability and achieved a standard that they consider is worthy of me continuing my development here.
It’s definitely further boosted my enthusiasm and desire to succeed. It was a very happy day for me when I got the news because it came out of the blue. Andries Jonker called me into his office saying that he wanted a word with me. I was not sure what to expect but when he told me that I was being offered a contract I could not stop smiling. The result is that I have a calmer approach to everything now.
In terms of myself, I’ve played both at right back and right wing and that has helped me improve in both positions. Playing as a right back, I am more in tune with the defence and sensitive to what needs to be done. I know where I want my right winger to be and so when I play right wing, I tuck in to help the right back and try and help in defence as much as possible.
This season has gone much the way of my first year in that I am playing for the under-18s, the under-19s and the under-21s. My next target is to really cement my place as a regular in the 21s before the end of the season. I am enjoying every aspect of being at Arsenal at the moment and all the coaches are so positive.
I do really enjoy having Thierry Henry as one of our coaches too. He talks a lot to us, we get a lot of advice on all aspects and he joins in training matches too. I have never had to face him though - I think he likes being on my team!
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