Arsenal youngster signs first professional deal with the club

Arsenal defender Marli Salmon has signed his first professional contract with the club after seven years in the Gunners’ academy.

The 17-year-old put pen to paper on his first senior deal on his birthday, describing the moment as a reward for both himself and his family after years of hard work.

“It means a lot to me,” Salmon said.

“A lot of hard work went into this, a lot of ups and downs, but I’m so proud.

“I think it’s a proud moment for my family as well, I think it’s a reward for them as well, because they put so much time and effort into me. It’s proof of their hard work as much as mine.”

Salmon joined Arsenal at under-11 level in 2019 as an attacker but has developed into an imposing defender during his time in the Academy.

“I was an attacker in those days, so it was a bit different, but it was good,” he said.

“It sounds kind of cliched but it’s a lot of ups and downs, a lot of tough times. Sometimes you really go through adversity, but it’s built me to the person I am today, so I’m thankful for it.”

The teenager was included in Arsenal’s first-team squad on several occasions last season and made his professional debut against Club Brugge in Belgium, coming on for Ben White in the 83rd minute.

“It’s always a good experience to be around [the first team],” Salmon added.

“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.”

Salmon was also able to experience Arsenal’s Premier League title success last season and says being around the squad gave him an insight into the standards required to become champions.

“Being around that was amazing. You see so many one-percents that go into it,” he said.

“It’s a long season, so there’s so many things that change and happen, but really keeping that level over that period of time, it takes a lot. It’s a lot of little things that push you to be a champion.”