_Our Young Gun series gets to know the academy youngsters kicking off their careers at Sobha Realty Training Centre._
_Sam Chapman spoke to us recently, and here's what he had to say about family allegiances, Sergio Ramos and playing in Brazil._
Growing up in the Brickendon area of Hertfordshire, I was always surrounded by sport. My parents encouraged me to try everything: swimming, rugby, cricket, gymnastics… you name it. I was a very active child. But football, which I started playing at just four years old, captured my heart early on, and I’ve never looked back.
Football rivalry runs deep in my family – my mum’s side are Spurs fans, while my dad’s side support Arsenal. Naturally, playing for Arsenal has cemented my allegiance to the Gunners.
In the beginning, like most young players, I looked up to Ronaldo and Messi. But as I grew older and realised my passion for defending, Sergio Ramos became my inspiration. His ability to succeed at the highest level for both club and country makes him the type of defender I aspire to be. Although I’m a defender now, my position started out as a left winger because I was so quick, but in primary school my PE teacher saw my potential as a centre back and since then I’ve embraced the role and never looked back.
The first team I played for was called Bengeo Tigers, a local Sunday League side where my dad was my manager. In my last two seasons there we were very dominant and would win games comfortably by four or five goals. At one tournament, an Arsenal scout noticed me and offered a trial. I didn’t get in the first time, but the same scout came back a few months later as he believed Arsenal made a mistake by not signing me, and at my second trial I smashed it and finally got in.
Since joining Arsenal at the age of eight, I’ve grown up alongside players like Ife Ibrahim and Andre Harriman-Annous, who were also part of my age group and are still at the club, which is amazing to see. One of my earliest memories from Hale End was turning up to the pre-academy in our own kits and competing in internal tournaments. I still remember winning one of those tournaments with Ife on my team.
> "Once I found myself in a back four alongside Wilshere, Arteta and White!"
The facilities at Hale End have transformed massively since I joined. Back then, it was mostly fields with no canteen or main building. Now, it’s a state-of-the-art training ground. While at Hale End I was lucky enough to go on trips to Dubai and Brazil. The football in Brazil was tough, the weather was unbelievably hot, even though we went in December, and the style of the Brazilians is all true! They play with so much flair and expression.
As the scholarship decisions approached, I was naturally nervous. You see teammates earn theirs and wonder about your own future. When I got the news, it was such a relief, especially after being at the club for so long. I couldn’t stop smiling. It was an incredible moment to know I’d continue my journey with Arsenal.
Training at Sobha and being around the under-21s and first team can be intimidating initially, but you adapt quickly. I’ve had the privilege of training with the first team a few times. Once, I found myself in a back four alongside Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta and Ben White, which was an unbelievable experience!
This season has been quite a challenging one for me. Back in March I tore my hamstring just five minutes into my first under-18s game, which sidelined me for six months. Recently, I’ve started regaining fitness, getting minutes with the under-17s, and a couple of weeks back I played my first 45 minutes of under-18s football against Crystal Palace in the Premier League Cup. My focus now is on staying fit, earning more minutes and helping the team progress.
Seeing young players break into the first team is incredibly motivating. Arsenal’s willingness to give opportunities to youth players shows there’s a clear pathway if we perform well. Injuries and suspensions can open doors, so we must always be ready.
I don’t have any superstitions before games, but Declan Rice has convinced a lot of us to have pancakes with strawberries and raspberries on match mornings! From there, it’s all about stretches, preparation and getting my head in the game.
This journey has been full of highs and challenges, and I’m excited about what’s ahead. My short-term goal is to stay consistent for the under-18s and help the team win silverware. Longer term, I aim to step up to the under-21s, seize every opportunity, and make my mark at Arsenal.
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