Our Young Gun series gets to know the academy youngsters kicking off their careers at the Sobha Realty Training Centre.
Bryony Brodie spoke to us recently about moving from defensive midfield to the no.10 role and how she’s enjoying being amongst the goals for club and country.
I’m in my seventh season at Arsenal now, and even though it feels like so much has changed since I joined as a ten-year-old, I think that what the club stands for has remained the same.
The experience has definitely taught me a lot of determination, because in an academy, everyone’s ultimately fighting for the same thing: a professional contract. I’d like to think I’m still the same person, but I’ve changed a lot as a player.
Last season I was playing more as a box-to-box midfielder, but now I’ve moved into a more attacking role. When I moved up to the under-17s for England, we got a new coach who wanted to start playing me as a no.10.
I did well there, scored a couple of goals, so Arsenal decided to do the same. That move in position changes your mentality. When I was playing in the six, I had a bigger focus on defence. Now I have to consider goalscoring opportunities, my position around the box and building partnerships with wingers and strikers.
Last month we had an important 3-1 win over Manchester City, which I scored in. It was a header at the back post and I don’t score a lot of headers, so I enjoyed that. I scored from distance against Manchester United, which was a big game because of how well they’re doing in the league. I want to keep scoring goals when they matter most.
I’ve just come back from a great England camp, where we won all three games and booked our spot in the Euros finals this May. Our final match against Italy was a big test, but we managed to win 3-2 and I got two goals and an assist. One of those goals was from a free-kick, which I’ve always loved taking with my left foot.
Playing for England is a constant challenge because we have to test ourselves against a variety of opposition. In the Academy, you might have expectations about how United or Brighton are going to play, but with international teams it might be a mystery until you play them.
Going to the Euros would be my first major tournament with England, so I’m really hoping to play a big part for the team.
“It never feels like a sacrifice though, because if it’s something you really love and want to pursue, it doesn’t feel like hard work.”
Being at the club for so long, I’ve made some amazing friendships in my team. I’d definitely hang out with them more off the pitch if I didn’t live so far away. When I have to miss parties with friends from school, my team-mates understand the commitment we all have to give to football.
It never feels like a sacrifice though, because if it’s something you really love and want to pursue, it doesn’t feel like hard work. I’d choose football any day of the week.
The opportunities I’ve had to train with our first team have been amazing and I’m continually striving for more. The biggest thing that stands out when you play with them is the intensity. The ball speed is so high, everyone’s giving 100 per cent, and they’re fully focused on what’s coming up.
My favourite players to watch are probably Alessia Russo and Kim Little. Kim was really nice and helped me on the pitch, while also setting high standards for me.
We’re really pushing to win the league at Arsenal and win the Euros with England. A top five finish would qualify us for the World Cup in October, so that’s something we’re aiming for as a squad.
Over the next few seasons, I’d love to make the step from academy to women’s football and have some more involvement with the first team. I don’t know exactly how next season will go, but something like a dual registration could really help my exposure to senior football.
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