Marli Salmon sets big target after signing first Arsenal contract | OneFootball

Huge moment for young defender as he celebrates 17th birthday

Marli Salmon says he wants to attack the season after signing his first professional contract with Arsenal.

Salmon has enjoyed a meteoric rise, having made his Arsenal debut last season in the Champions League, coming off the bench away at Club Brugge in the league phase.

He made three further first-team appearances, including a start against Mansfield in the FA Cup fifth round and caught the eye in pre-season, particularly in the 1-1 draw at home to Como.

Salmon will now look to earn more senior opportunities as the Gunners aim to defend their Premier League crown and go one step further in the Champions League.

“A lot of hard work that went into this, a lot of ups and downs, but I'm so proud,” the 17-year-old said.

"It's always a good experience to be around [the first team]. You learn so much, not even just on the pitch, but off the pitch, about how they prepare and how they carry themselves.

“It's valuable, I'm so grateful for who I've got here. You get to learn and see them in person, you see so much detail, it's very good.

"I'm looking forward to attacking the season. I gave myself a good start, so let's see what it holds."

Arsenal youngster Marli Salmon

Getty

Salmon's performances in pre-season, amid the absences of Jurrien Timber and William Saliba, has pushed his case for first-team involvement and Mikel Arteta suggested those opportunities will come.

“He’s in and around the first team,” Arteta said earlier in the month. “We know that obviously the circumstances are what they are, that’s the context that is allowing him to play more minutes.

“If we would have other players it would be more difficult. That doesn’t mean he wouldn’t get the chance to do so.

“But what he’s proved in the last few weeks is that he’s reliable and when we want to play him, he can do a job.”