_Our Young Gun series gets to know the academy youngsters kicking off their careers at the Sobha Realty Training Centre._
_Andre Harriman-Annous spoke to us recently about the experience of making his professional debut and being integrated into our first team._
With the Singapore tour, I actually didn't know I was going to be involved. We played a friendly beforehand and I performed well, and I think that helped push my case for selection.
Training with the first team every day really makes you realise that you are surrounded by some of the best players in the world. Straight away, you raise your levels. You train better, play better and push yourself to another standard.
In the first game (of the tour) against AC Milan, I didn't get on the pitch, but the coaches encouraged me to stay patient. In the next game against Newcastle, I came on in the 75th-minute, which was my first taste of professional football in the men's game.
Playing against a Premier League team in front of so many supporters was a dream come true. It's what you work for, and you have to believe you're there for a reason. Nothing is given, everything is earned which is something I really believe in.
Moving on to the Brighton game in the Carabao Cup, it all started in training the day before. The players who had featured against Crystal Palace the previous week only trained for one drill, and I found myself in the starting team during training.
I knew Carabao Cup games could be opportunities for young players to make their debuts, but I treated every session the same by working hard and showing what I could do. On the day of the game, Mikel spoke to me early in the afternoon and told me I would be starting.
He asked how I was feeling, and I said I was ready. He then asked how many times I had dreamed of that moment, and I told him I had thought about it a million times! He told me I had earned it.
> As soon as I was told, I FaceTimed my mum, and she started crying! She was so happy and proud.
Going into the game I felt some nerves, which was natural, but in the changing room the players made me feel part of the team. I spoke to Leandro Trossard before kick-off, and he asked how I was feeling, reminiscing about his own first professional appearance.
Bukayo also spoke to me about his Arsenal debut and told me to give everything and leave it all on the pitch.
I had a big group of family and friends in the stadium, which I was really grateful for. Walking out of the tunnel to a packed Emirates for the first time, feeling the atmosphere and hearing the chants, was incredible.
I used it all as energy to drive my performance. I enjoyed every moment and every touch. I nearly scored and felt I should have, but I was happy that the move eventually led to Bukayo scoring.
Playing in the Champions League is something I have always dreamed of, so to make my first-team debut and then my Champions League debut eight days later (against Slavia Prague) was unbelievable.
Sharing those moments with fellow academy players like Max (Dowman) makes it even more special. He's top quality and a close friend. There's a real sense of unity among the academy players who have stepped up, including Myles and Ethan, and that support makes the transition even better.
I am proud of what I have achieved so far, but there is still so much more I want to accomplish at Arsenal. The hard work got me to this point, and I don't want it to stop here. I need to keep pushing, working hard and demanding more from myself if I want to make my Premier League debut.
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