Copley: “This is the highest of the highs!”

Signing a first professional contract at Arsenal is the highlight of Louie Copley’s career so far, as he put pen to paper on a new deal at the Sobha Realty Training Centre.

Our young midfielder described his emotions during an unforgettable moment.

“It’s a special day really,” he said. “Having all my family here as well to celebrate with me, I’ve been a boyhood Arsenal fan. I got put in an Arsenal top since I was born really, so it’s a really special day.

“I’ve got my cousins, auntie, uncles, nan and grandad. Then my mum, dad and sister and obviously my agents. They've all played a special part in this journey. Having them here is not just for me but also for them to celebrate as well.

“They get the worst of it when I have to come home. When I'm not happy as well. They've supported me through the highs. But also it's the lows. If I've had a bad game, they're there to support me. Which has really helped me.

“My earliest memory was definitely going to the Emirates with my mum and my grandad. I think that game Theo Walcott scored a hat-trick. That just inspired me going there for the first time, walking out of the Emirates, but just seeing it. It was really inspirational.

“I joined the club as an under-13, progressed through Hale End, then did two years as a scholar and now I’m signing a professional contract. It's been a great journey, obviously ups and downs, but that's football. This is definitely the highest of the highs.”

Asked for his favourite moment on the pitch, Copley thought back to an FA Youth Cup goal at Emirates Stadium.

“There's definitely been a few,” he recalled. “One that stands out is last year at the Emirates. Scoring at the Emirates. Like I said, as an Arsenal fan. Scoring there in the FA Youth Cup was definitely special for me.

“I was playing right wing at the time. I made a run in behind, it was just natural. I scored, that was for 1-1 as well. It was a big goal. There was momentum in the game. I was just ecstatic.”

Growing up as an Arsenal supporter, which players did Louie love to watch the most?

“I would say Jack Wilshere. I remember watching him, that was my era growing up. He's a midfielder like me. I just love the way he played. He was so bubbly on the pitch. Always wanting the ball. So definitely him.

“But also, I just loved watching Alexis Sanchez as well. He was a standout player in that era. What a player.

“Now I look up to Declan Rice the most. Obviously, he’s a box-to-box midfielder as well. When I go and train there, I just watch what he does and try and implement things that he does into my game because obviously he's at the very top.

“It's crazy just seeing them train. The intensity they train at. The standards. As an Arsenal fan as well. But you can't be a fan anymore, you're a player. You want to compete with them.

“I’m a box-to-box midfielder as well. I'm full of energy on the pitch. I like defending but I also like attacking.

“I just want to kick on now. I want to establish myself in the under-21s. But that's not my end goal. I want to be playing first-team. So I definitely want to get a first-team appearance this year.”

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