Cam’ron Ismail is an Arsenal man to the core, so the opportunity to sign his first professional contract could only be described as a dream come true.
Born and raised just ten minutes from Emirates Stadium, Cam’ron grew up watching his beloved club, donning his Theo Walcott jersey to any match he could get to down the years.
Joining us in 2021, the full-back has now progressed through the academy and signed his maiden professional deal, a day that he hoped would come.
He said: “I think it’s an important day. A day that’s been in my mind for quite a long time.
“I think it’s a proud moment for me and it’s something that I’ve been dreaming of. It’s a big moment and I’m happy to be here.
“I’ve always been an Arsenal fan. I think being around it and living so close to the stadium, you’re always seeing Arsenal fans everywhere, hearing the theme song. I think it’s a big thing, just being from Islington and supporting Arsenal and being able to play for Arsenal.
“I’m very proud, very proud to do so, and every day, I come in and give my all.”
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The left-back spent most of last season playing for our under-18s, making 16 appearances in the U18 Premier League, but he also featured a handful of times for the under-21s in Premier League 2.
With the squad already back in training at the Sobha Realty Training Centre, Cam’ron has set his targets for the campaign ahead.
“Have a good pre-season,” he said. “It’s always good to start well, leading into the season. I think just establish myself in the under-21 side and then any opportunities, maybe with the first team, whether that’s training, I think just showing my best self and ready for when the opportunity comes.”
Our promising full-back has also spent time with the Egypt international set-up after being called up to the under-20 side.
Cam’ron knows that training in different environments can help shape a player and revealed he enjoys the standards set at Colney day in, day out.
“I think every day, coming into an environment where everyone’s always on it. In training, everyone’s always playing at a higher standard, which is what we want.
“We’re at Arsenal, so we have to portray that kind of thing, professionalism, whether that’s in the gym, on the pitch, just in and around, education.
“I think all the players always show a higher standard, so I’d say everyone, really. No one in particular, but everyone shows good standards, so it’s good to be around.”
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27 photos from our U21s first training session
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