In our latest edition, defensive midfielder Theo Odaji-Ukueku told us about getting his scholarship and the opportunities he's had to train with our first team.

I grew up in Chingford and started playing football for Ryan FC when I was about four or five. I was then scouted by Arsenal at one of my games, which started my journey with the club. 

I’ve supported Arsenal my whole life, so joining the club was a really good feeling. My whole family are Arsenal fans, so I kind of just joined them. I’ve loved Arsenal my whole life.

 Ryan FC was the first team I played for, and I started out as a striker. I play centre midfield now, with DM being my main position, although I can also play right back or centre back. 

I joined Arsenal’s pre-academy at under-6s and have come all the way through to under-16s, where I got my scholarship. Looking back at my time at Hale End, some of my best memories are scoring goals and winning tournaments with my teammates. 

The Hale End Cup that we won together is probably the one that stands out the most. I started moving further back into midfield and defence around under-13s or under-14s. I think the coaches saw that I was quite tall and physical, so they tried me in different positions and it worked out. I’ve enjoyed developing my game in different areas of the pitch. 

When I was offered my scholarship, it felt amazing. All the hard work I’d put in had paid off, but obviously that’s not all I’m aiming for. I’m aiming for that professional contract, so we just have to keep going and working hard. 

I wouldn’t say I was nervous going into the scholarship meeting. I was quite confident because I was doing quite well at the time. I’d come off good under-15 and under-16 seasons, had an important role in the team and felt like I was doing well.

I’ve also been lucky enough to come through the academy with a lot of the same players. I’ve been with Jayden Oba, Charlie Purdy and Emerson Nwaneri for quite a while. It’s been a good journey with the lads, and I’m just happy to be there with them all on the same path. We’re all aiming for the same things, so it’s good doing it together. 

Moving from Hale End to the Sobha Realty Training Centre has been a big change. It’s a lot more demanding because it’s now a full-time schedule. You’re here every day, so the coaches and staff are constantly pushing you. It’s about how you apply yourself and being willing to improve both on and off the pitch.

At Hale End, it was a bit more laid-back. You could still go to school, so you’re a part-time footballer, whereas now the standards and demands are different. I’m still living at home, so I travel in every day. It takes around 35 minutes in the morning, although the journey home can sometimes take 45 or 50 minutes because of traffic. 

I’ve also had the opportunity to train with the first team a couple of times. I first trained with them when I was 15, with some of those sessions coming during international breaks. It’s quite special training with the first team. You don’t really see everything they do until you’re actually there. The level is so high that it feels surreal, and I’ve really enjoyed it. 

I don’t think there’s necessarily one player who is the best because they’re all at such a high level. Everything they do is so fast and clean, and they’re technically very efficient. If I had to pick someone who has really stood out to me, I’d probably say Martin Odegaard because he’s so clean and technical. He’s also the captain, so his intensity raises the standards of everyone around him.  

Seeing players like Max Dowman, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri come through the Academy and get opportunities with the first team is obviously motivating. We’re happy for them because they’ve been in the same position as us. It also shows that there are opportunities for us to develop, and when that opportunity comes, you’ve got to be ready to take it. 

I made my under-18s debut when I was just 15, so I got used to the level quite early. Now that I’m playing at this level regularly, I’m just used to it. This is the level for me now. My main target for this season is to earn my professional contract when I turn 17 in January. 

After that, I’d like to play up with the under-21s and hopefully train with the first team a bit more. Those are my main targets, and I just want to keep working hard and improving.

My family background is that I’m Brazilian and Nigerian. My mum’s side is Brazilian and my dad’s side is Nigerian. I speak a little bit of Portuguese and I’m still learning. My mum is teaching me. I haven’t been to Brazil yet, but hopefully I’ll go soon.