ZACH Awe was prepared for a new challenge this summer. In fact, he was prepared to take a risk.

After over a decade in Arsenal’s lauded youth system, the teenage defender was ready to depart the only club he had ever known in search of an opportunity to further his career.

That ambition brought him to Southampton, where he signed a three-year contract earlier this month, bringing an end to his 11-year stint with Arsenal.

Reflecting with the Daily Echo on his time with the Gunners, Awe said: "I was happy to move on. 

"I felt like I definitely needed a challenge and a different experience to my footballing career because I had been at Arsenal for my whole life.

"I was trying to get out of my comfort zone and (get to) somewhere where I knew that there would be a pathway for me to break through."

During his rise through Arsenal's youth set-up, Awe regularly played up with older age groups.

He made his debut for the under-18 side at just 15 years old before making his maiden appearance for the under-23s at 16.

Awe also got a taste of senior football prior to his departure from the Gunners. He trained with Mikel Arteta's first team and was named on the bench for their 1-0 Premier League win over Wolves in February 2022.

“Those experiences were great for my development," the commanding defender continued. "It’s what you need as a youth player – playing against players who are older than you and better than you.

"That’s how you develop because you can be stuck in the same position. I feel like that’s why I moved.

"I felt I was becoming stagnant in my development and I needed to take a risk."

Daily Echo:

Although he was eager to leave Arsenal, Awe isn't afraid to admit that it was difficult to adjust to life without a club before eventually joining Southampton.

“It was difficult. When I left Arsenal I was without a club for around a month and that wasn’t easy.

"There were times where I thought ‘When am I going to get my club?’. It was very tough, especially because I had never been in that situation before.

“I am happy Southampton came and I am happy that I’m here. As you can see my family were here and they are very proud of me and it’s nice to have that support.

“When I saw the development of players in the past and everything else it was definitely the right choice. I’m glad that I’m here. I have no regrets."

As well as hoping to further his personal development, Southampton's philosophy also played a role in his decision-making. 

The youngster believes that Saints' style of play under Russell Martin is similar to what he became accustomed to at Arsenal.

Having previously played as a defensive midfielder during his time with the London club, he is comfortable and composed when in possession.

"It’s something that I’ve been playing my whole life so it was a no-brainer for me," he noted when asked if the possession-heavy style played a factor in his decision to move to the south coast.

"Also seeing how many youth players have broken through at this club and what he (Martin) is doing with Sam Amo-Ameyaw is definitely really enticing for me.

“I played further up the field for a bit at Arsenal, which is where I think I get my ball-playing ability from.

Daily Echo:

"I feel like at Arsenal everybody plays with the ball at their feet so it’s something I’ve been doing my whole life. 

“I do like to have a lot of the ball, but I do like defending as well. Hopefully, people understand that because sometimes people think that I just like playing and being a tidy centre-back, but I do like to tackle and win headers."

Upon arriving at St Mary's Awe linked up with Saints' under-21s side. To date the six-foot-five centre-back has made two appearances in the Premier League 2 – starting against both Aston Villa and Liverpool.

The defender also received the call to play in a behind-closed-doors friendly for a Southampton XI against Brentford earlier this month.

A mixture of first-team and youth players were involved, with Awe playing alongside the likes of James Bree, Joe Aribo and Sekou Mara.

When speaking to the Daily Echo Martin said that he was impressed with how the young side coped against Brentford. 

Awe is hoping that his performance in that friendly will hold him in good stead as he aims to break into the senior team.

“It’s impossible to put a time stamp on it because you never know what might happen.

"Someone could get injured, another centre-back may come in. I myself will keep on working as hard as I can to break into the first team.

"If that opportunity comes tomorrow or in three months time I’ll make sure I take my chance.”