Arsenal Striker Freeman Excited About Future Challenges

Striker Luke Freeman joined Arsenal in the January transfer window, and was our only acquisition during the transfer period, therefore he become the main centre of attraction for fans since his £200,000 arrival.

Things started of badly in football for Luke, after being released by then Premiership side Charlton Athletic, but it did not down hearten him:

“I was at Charlton since the age of 9, but when i was 11 they released me, i was never given a reason why, but ive heared that they thought i was too small [To Make It], i was obviously really disappointed at the time

I also became more determined to do everything i could to become a footballer”.

Shortly after having his contract cancelled, the Dartford born youngster was snapped up by Gillingham, a step down for him, but something Luke now see’s as very important in his development:

“I have given them [Gillingham] a lot of credit, they played a big part in my development and encouragement, and improved my game so much”.

After playing in the Under 18’s and then Reserves, he was developing fast, having a knack of scoring impressive long range goals as well as poaching, by now first team boss Mark Stimpson had him call into the first team, aged just 15:

“I went over to train with the first team, and did quite well, i then made a couple of appearances in the Johnson’s Paint Trophy, one was against Dagenham & Redbridge. After that i played in the FA Cup whilst i was still a school boy, which was a big boost for me”

After being the youngest player ever to play in the FA Cup, a huge scramble for scouting reports from the biggest clubs in the country followed, with no less than 8 Premiership sides had scouts at his next youth matches, one of those clubs was the Gunners, but Freeman did not let the media hype get to him:

“I heared that Man Utd, Liverpool, Reading, West Ham and Newcastle United, were all interested, but i never really thought of it”

He then went to Newcastle, Arsenal and West Ham on mini trial days in which his trained with the clubs first team and met their respective managers, Arsene Wenger had praise to heap on him, and confirmed his side would be pushing through a deal for it:

“I met the boy and I like him. He has personality and he looks alert. He’s a striker and to play in a first team at 15 years of age is something special.

Shortly after, a deal was done and he made the move to North London, however he did not get to meet his new colleagues as they were in Liverpool ahead of the Youth Cup game, so he was thrown into first team training, an amazing experience for the 15 year old.

“I had to train with the first team, on my first day, i was a little nervous but everybody came over and shook my hand and welcomed me to the club, i think i did ok, in a game that we played, i partned Nicklas Bendtner which seemed to work very well, when the youth players came back, they too made me feel part of the club too”

at just 174cm, Freeman is not deterred by his size, and in-fact some of the youth players have already picked up onit, and compared him to two famous names.

“Obviously i’m still growing, and i find that i am able to turn quicker than defenders, and i feel i am stronger than alot of my opponents.

The boys in the Academy have started calling me Owen, obviously im pleased with the comparison, but i am my own player, i was of course pleased to get of the mark [Against Southampton] but Arsenal are not putting pressure on me

I am looking forward to rising to any challenges ahead, i already feel i am a better player since my arrival, i am happy to be at a club like Arsenal where i have the opportunity to be the best player i can be”

Quotes From The Arsenal Match Day Programme

Luke has joined Emmanuel Frimpong, Sam Byles, and Oliver Nicholas in the England Under 16’s squad which will travel to France later this month for the Montaigu Tournament.

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Article By – J.Sanderson