Our Young Gun series returns for 2024/25 as we get to know the academy youngsters kicking off their careers at Sobha Realty Training Centre.
Ife Ibrahim spoke to us for the Leicester City matchday programme, and here's what he had to say about his upbringing, signing for Arsenal, and his ambitions for the season ahead.
I grew up in south London, around the north Greenwich area, and started playing football at the age of seven. My background is Nigerian, and my family speaks Yoruba – I’m definitely a big fan of the culture, especially when it comes to the music, food and traditions.
My dad was the one who got me into football, simply by taking me to the park. From there, I started to really enjoy it. He always jokes that he was a top footballer growing up, although he never actually played! But he knows the game well.
When I was younger, I played as a forward, and Cristiano Ronaldo was my idol. I wanted to be just like him. The first team I played for was AFC All Stars, where I stayed for about a year. During that time, I was scoring loads of goals and performing well at that level, which attracted interest from Arsenal, Chelsea, West Ham United and Tottenham. I went on trial at all four clubs, and they were all keen for me to join. I even had the option of picking between them, but my dad encouraged me to sign for Arsenal.
"Choosing Arsenal, my dad made the right decision for my development"
At the time I was leaning towards West Ham, but my dad is very intentional about my football journey. He watched the training sessions closely and felt that the coaches at Arsenal were the best fit for my development. Looking back now, I can see he made the right decision.
When I joined Arsenal, Andre Harriman-Annous and Sam Chapman were already there, and it’s great to see that we’re all still here having earned our scholarships.
In my under-9s season, coach Josh Hinckson suggested I try playing in midfield for a game. I think I played really well, and from that moment I started to enjoy the position. I liked being more involved, getting on the ball more than I did as a striker, and I eventually made the position my own.
One of my standout memories from the Hale End days was when we beat Chelsea 11-6 – it was one of my best games ever, and so much fun to be part of. Another highlight was travelling to Dubai when I was 12, which was an incredible experience.
As scholarship decision time approached I was naturally a bit nervous, but I kept trusting in God and putting my faith in Him. It was His plan, and I knew that if I didn’t get the scholarship, I would find another club. By God’s grace, I secured the scholarship, and I was over the moon. However, I know the hard work doesn’t stop there – this is just the next chapter in my journey to becoming a professional footballer.
Since making the transition from Hale End to the main training facility at the Sobha Realty Training Centre, it’s been brilliant, but much more intense. Training is very frequent and structured around a specific programme.
"I want to win the FA Youth Cup, break into the U21s and play in the UEFA Youth League"
We’re there six days a week, so it’s basically a second home now, but I’ve enjoyed every minute of it, and the coaches have been fantastic. I’ve even had the opportunity to train with the first team, which was an amazing experience. The level and tempo they play at is incredibly high – you can’t afford to slack off for even a minute, or you’ll quickly get caught out.
The start of the season has been really positive for the under-18s. We’re a close-knit group, and we all get along well. Pre-season training was great, and the coaches constantly push us to improve. We take our recovery and gym sessions seriously, and in everything we do, on and off the pitch, we strive for the highest standards.
Being coached by Jack Wilshere is also a huge plus – you can relate to everything he says because he’s been through it all himself. He’s also very kind, which makes it easy to build a relationship with him.
If I were to describe my game, I’d say I’m good at breaking up play and stopping opponents from progressing. When we’re in possession, I can break lines and create chances. My goals for this season are to play as many games as possible, win the FA Youth Cup, break into the U21s squad, and play in the UEFA Youth League. I just want to keep progressing and be successful.
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