Young Gun: Dan Casey

Throughout the season, we'll be catching up with our young Gunners to find out more about their route to our academy. This week, Dan Casey discusses Dennis Bergkamp compilations, choosing to join Arsenal over Chelsea, and playing under Jack Wilshere.

I grew up in Barnet, and got into football when I was about three years old, thanks to my dad. He would play in the garden with me, or we would go to the park and have a kickabout too. Then from there I just fell in love with the game. 

When I was younger I was a Liverpool fan, so I looked up to Luis Suarez as a kid. Another player I enjoyed watching was Coutinho, and I love Messi because he’s simply an amazing player. In my spare time I also watched a lot of Dennis Bergkamp compilations, and his technical ability was ridiculous. I play the No. 10 role, which was a similar position to Bergkamp, so seeing how he played the game helped me understand how to positively impact the game from that position. 

I joined my first team, Totteridge Football Academy (TFA), when I was six. Then after about a year I got scouted by Fulham and joined them. While I was playing for Fulham, clubs were beginning to show interest in me, including Arsenal and Chelsea. I had the decision to make between Chelsea, Arsenal, or staying at Fulham. What factored into choosing Arsenal was that they were always the toughest team we’d come up against when we played them, and they had a good style of play. Also, they were the most convenient to get to as they were the closest team to where I lived, so it would make it easier for me to get to training. 

So off I went to Hale End to join Arsenal under-9s, and at that time there wasn’t really a trial; you just joined in at that age. I’d say that being in a professional environment from a young age helped me develop my game, and helped me massively when I got to Arsenal because I quickly knew the demands of academy football.

At the time I joined, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri and Will Sweet were all there with me, and it’s crazy that we’re all still at the club almost nine years later. It has been a real rollercoaster of a journey, and it’s amazing to see the progression and growth of all of us. 

When I first joined the club at eight we went to London Colney and had a picture with Jack Wilshere on our signing day. This was when he was playing for the club at the time and was one of the major players for Arsenal, so it’s crazy to think he’s my coach now. Then a week later we walked on to the Emirates pitch at half time and got to do a lap where we got a round of applause from the fans, which was amazing for me at that age.

"Playing football with your friends abroad is one of the best things ever"

One of my early Hale End memories that springs to mind was our first overseas tournament. It was in Spain, and we were up against the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona. In our group we had Espanyol, and I scored in that game to put us 1-0 up. I had a really good tournament! Playing football with your friends abroad is one of the best things ever. Also, we used to play in a lot of six v six tournaments at under-12 and under-13 level, and we used to win them all very easily because our team was so talented. It was a joke at times. 

When it came to my scholarship decision day, I went in pretty confident because I’d had a really strong under-15s season and you usually get your scholarship decision halfway through the under-16s season. But there was a little bit of doubt in my mind because just a month into my under-16s season, in September 2022, I got a stress fracture in my back, and that put me out of action for six months. But in October I got confirmation of my scholarship, and I was so happy because even though I wouldn’t be back fit until March 2023, the club and coaches showed faith in me.

When I came back in March, unfortunately I aggravated that same injury again in April, which put me out for another six months until October. That was frustrating because it put me on the back foot for the under-18s. My luck never got any better because then I got a hip flexor injury that kept me out for a few weeks. I just came back last month, and this has meant I haven’t been able to make my debut for the under-18s yet. I’ve played for the under-17s, which has helped me get my fitness back up, and I scored in our comeback win over Southampton, which was a great feeling. I’m due to go to Brazil for a tournament with the under-17s this month, which should be a fantastic experience. 

Having Jack Wilshere as a coach has been brilliant. He analyses the game well and he’s someone I can open up to. He has encouraged me a lot through my injuries and says that I need to take it each day at a time and build up my minutes for the U17s, and then I’ll be ready and firing for the U18s.

"I love the way Odegaard plays as a creator, and I love Bukayo Saka too" 

Before the first team prepared for their 3-1 win against Manchester United, I was able to train with them the day before. I won’t lie to you, it was very, very tough. They’re so sharp, fast and incisive. It’s really difficult to catch up to them because the tempo they play at is a joke. But it’s a fantastic and eye-opening experience of what senior football will be like on a week-to-week basis. They’re all quality players, but I love the way Odegaard plays in particular as a creator, and I love Bukayo Saka too; he’s brilliant. It’s inspiring to see there are Hale Enders in the first team because it just highlights that there is a pathway available at Arsenal. If you put in the hard work, you can get there. It is possible. 

I’ve got a little bit of a ritual that I do every time I play – I have to wear a specific pair of shinpads. I’ve worn the same shinpads since I was about five! 

I’m a player with a knack for finding the back of the net. My link-up play is a strength too – I can connect with my team-mates effectively in and around the box. Recently, I’ve embraced the role of a false 9, and it’s a position I find both challenging and rewarding. I can showcase my playmaking abilities by dropping deeper but I can also maintain a goalscoring threat.