Arsenal starlet Josh Dasilva has been discussing his upbringing into the world of football, admitting that he has had to work hard in order to fight for his place in the youth side’s but is confident he can continue to develop and one day feature for the first team.
At just 17-years-old, Dasilva has featured for both the under-19 and under-18 Arsenal youth side’s but is yet to be capped for his country and the talented Englishman spoke about his very first experiences with the club, admitting he turned up to the trials wearing something that wasn’t too well received by his future teammates.
I joined Arsenal after a trial when I was about eight years old. I remember that I didn’t have the best start because I turned up wearing a Manchester United shirt and all the other players thought it was hilarious!
Looking back now it was quite funny but I didn’t wear that shirt again! Despite that start I must have done something right as I was asked to join.
When I first came to Arsenal I was a left winger and can still drop into midfield when asked to, but I mainly play as a striker now. I know a lot of players start as a striker and then move back, but it was the other way with me.
Dasilva then moved on to admit that despite being a striker, his game has become a lot less about goals, rather comparing himself to Olivier Giroud in terms of his hold-up play, which allows his teammates to be brought into the game.
I always used to score a lot when I was younger, and so I was pushed forward and I started scoring even more. I was a lot greedier then. I don’t score as many now because my game has changed into developing my hold up play and bringing others into the game.
I’m now working hard to find a balance between the two. If you play as a striker you need to score too, and last season while I was a schoolboy I helped the team a lot and played most of the games, but I only scored twice which was not enough for a player in my position.
It’s a mental thing, I have to start being more aggressive and determined to score, as well as being a good team player. My style is more Olivier Giroud than Theo Walcott because my pace is good but not blistering like Theo’s but my hold up play is a big part of what I do.
Dasilva is a regular with the under-18s and was involved in his side’s 3-1 win over Brighton last weekend, assisting the first goal of the afternoon.
Comments.
Loading comments…