Our Young Gun series gets to know the academy youngsters kicking off their careers at the Sobha Realty Training Centre.
Ife Ibrahim spoke to us recently about coming off the bench against Kairat to make his first-team debut, just days after signing his first professional contract as a Gunner.
Making my first-team debut against Kairat Almaty last month was an experience I will never forget. The day before, a few of us from the academy trained with the first team, but we didn't know if we'd be in the squad.
Then, in the changing room, Tom - the head of performance - told me I was in the squad. I was trying to stay cool, but I just couldn't stop smiling! Then I told my mum and dad and they were so excited.
On the day, I was told to put my shin pads on at half-time and be ready, but I think because they got back into the game a bit, I didn't get on until quite near the end. But it was amazing.
After all the time I've been in the academy - since the under-7s - to get on the pitch as a first-team player was incredible. Then hearing your name being announced and the supporters applauding was amazing.
Mikel said 'you're here for a reason' and Albert told me to 'win my duels' and gave me a bit more advice. There was a little moment, when I got on the pitch, when the ball is up in the air and I'm chasing it, and it felt like all the times I'd played on FIFA career mode!
It was insane. It was also great that Brando made his debut on the night as he's someone who's been part of the academy for many years like me.
There's a clear pathway for young players here, shown by Max, Marli and Andre also playing this season. There's definitely an opportunity if you have the talent.
"After all the time I've been in the academy - since the under-7s - to get on the pitch as a first-team player was incredible."
It was an amazing couple of days for me as my pro contract was announced the day before. Now I just want to take any opportunities that come my way. I'm just so thankful to the coaches and God for the progress I've been able to make.
My debut built on last season, which went really well for me, playing lots of minutes for the under-18s and also playing at Emirates Stadium against Manchester United in the FA Youth Cup quarter-final - that was a big highlight.
I was also called up to the England Under-18s, which I'm extremely grateful for. I'd had a run of games and then received the email saying I'd been selected. At first, I was surprised because I'd had quite a few standby emails in the past.
Finding out it was an actual call-up was an amazing feeling. In that under-18s camp it was myself and Jack Porter, and then across the different age groups, there was Tommy Setford with the under-20s, Ethan Nwaneri with the under-21s and Myles Lewis-Skelly around the first team.
I've also had experience in the EFL Trophy, which has been really important for my development. It was the first time I'd tested myself against men's teams in senior football, and that's something you have to be able to handle if you want a career in the game.
The main differences between academy and senior football are the aggression and the speed of the game. At that level, you also really understand what it takes to win. Playing in their stadiums was great too, it's a proper test and a good way to see where I'm at as a player.
As I mentioned, I recently signed my first professional contract, which was a huge moment for me. I've been at the club for a long time, and signing has always been a dream.
That said, I know this is just the beginning. I need to stay humble, keep working hard, and continue pushing myself if I want to achieve my goals.
[Read more
Young Gun: Josiah King](http://www.arsenal.com/news/young-gun-josiah-king?utm_source=arsenaldotcom&utm_medium=embedded-article&utm_campaign=news)
Copyright 2026 The Arsenal Football Club Limited. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the source.