Young Gun: Brayden Clarke

Our Young Gun series gets to know the academy youngsters kicking off their careers at Sobha Realty Training Centre.

Brayden Clarke spoke to us recently, and here's what he had to say about his first year at the club.

I feel like it’s been a good season so far. With the under-18s, we started the campaign strongly with big wins in two London derbies against West Ham and Chelsea, as well as a victory over Liverpool, who we know are always a strong side. We then went through a bit of a blip, but we're getting back into our groove, playing well and picking up results again. At a club like Arsenal, it's disappointing when you hit a difficult patch because the standards here are so high, and we set out to win every single game. 

The FA Youth Cup has been a massive focus for us this season. We all know how important the competition is, and we’re determined to go all the way and win it. Reaching the quarter-finals, where we'll get to play at the Emirates, is something we're all excited about. It’s been quite the journey so far, especially as it's my first time playing in the Youth Cup. From starting out against Hertford Town to that dramatic penalty shootout win over QPR, it’s been a whirlwind of emotions. When it went to penalties, I was nervous because I hadn't had much luck with shootouts in the past. But Adam Birchall was so calm and just told everyone to trust in our abilities, to believe in ourselves, and thankfully we got through. I wasn't in the first five to take one – I was quite far down the pecking order! 

Going away to Fulham in the next round was always going to be tough. We know what to expect from them because we play them regularly, but I think that game showed the togetherness we have in this squad. Even when things get difficult, we stick together and get through it. The feeling in the dressing room afterwards was amazing, especially when it sank in that we'd be playing at the Emirates.

In the quarter-finals we face Manchester United, and we couldn't be more excited. To be honest, the opponent didn’t matter; we were just buzzing about playing at the Emirates. But the fact it’s United, and we know the history of the rivalry, makes it even more special. That said, we need to play the game, not the occasion. We're all counting down the days, but we have to stay focused and approach it like any other match. The goal is to win and make it through to the semi-final. I'd love the fans to come and support us – we've got a brilliant group of players, and having that support can really push us on, just like it did for the group who made it to the final two years ago.

I've been at the club for almost a year now, and it’s flown by. I feel really settled here, and the environment around the club has been fantastic. I've been given the opportunity to play my football, express myself, and develop my game. The boys in both the under-18s and under-21s have been great with me, and it honestly feels like I've been here much longer than I have. I couldn’t ask for more.

"My dad, Nigel Quashie, comes down to watch all my games. He's a great role model for me."

Moving to London in the summer was a big step for me, but my mum came with me and we live close to the training ground now, so everything feels quite normal. We even brought our two dogs with us, which has helped us settle in. My dad, Nigel Quashie, who played professionally for clubs like Portsmouth, QPR and Nottingham Forest, lives in the Midlands but comes down to watch all my games. He's a great role model for me. He's been through so much in his career and always encourages me to express myself and keep learning as I develop. 

Seeing players like Ethan, Myles and Jack get their chances with the first team has been really inspiring. It shows what this club is all about and was a big reason why I decided to join Arsenal – the belief they have in young players. Watching Ethan score goals and provide assists or seeing Myles perform brilliantly at left back motivates us all. It reminds us that, if we perform well, train hard, and stay consistent, that could be us one day. 

This season, I've played a lot at centre back, but I've also had spells at right back too. It’s not a massive adjustment, as it's usually the left back who steps into midfield, so at right back, I often become part of a back three. The biggest difference is probably the number of one-on-one duels you get as a full back, as well as the fact you're sometimes positioned quite high up the pitch in attack. I enjoy the variety because it helps me develop different skills, and ultimately, I'm happy to play anywhere if it helps the team.

In December, I got the chance to visit the Arsenal Hub to meet participants from the local community, which was such a rewarding experience. It was amazing to see the impact the club has on people in the area. It really made us appreciate how fortunate we are to be footballers. The facilities at the Hub are brilliant, and it showed us just how much Arsenal invests in the local community. Football really is so much more than just a game. 

Looking ahead, my goals for the rest of the season are to keep playing regularly and to establish myself as a key part of the under-21s squad. I've played a lot for the under-18s this season and see myself as a bit of a leader within the team. Of course, the FA Youth Cup remains a big target for us too. We've made it this far, and we need to believe we can go all the way. Hopefully, we can bring that trophy back to Arsenal.