Ife Ibrahim made his senior Arsenal debut in the Champions League against Kairat Almaty.
Mikel Arteta has been a huge advocate of giving opportunities to the academy players when the time is right, and he deserves a lot of praise for that.
Against the Kazakhstan giants, Brando Bailey-Joseph and Ibrahim were the fortunate ones to get their chance, and both players loved it.
Now, the latter has revealed what he was told on the touchline by the Arsenal manager.
Who do you think is the bigger prospect at Arsenal – Brando Bailey-Joseph or Ife Ibrahim?
Who impressed you more against Kairat FC?
Mikel Arteta’s message to Ife Ibrahim on the touchline just before his Arsenal debut
It’s never easy for an academy player to make their debut, especially in the Champions League.
Firstly, it is a massive step up from the youth level. The pace of the game and the aggressiveness in challenges are at a completely different level.
Then, most youngsters will have their own doubts over whether they are ready for the big stage, which is very common at that age.
Ife Ibrahim may well have had the same feeling, but Arteta’s brilliant message to him on the touchline must have made it so much easier.
The youngster told Arsenal.com: “After all the time I’ve been in the academy – since the under-7s – to get on the pitch as a first-team player was incredible. Then hearing your name being announced and the supporters applauding was amazing.
“Mikel said, ‘you’re here for a reason’, and Albert (Stuivenberg) told me to ‘win my duels’ and gave me a bit more advice. “
As a young player, hearing from your manager that you are making your debut because of hard work and not by chance is the best message you could receive.
Who is the one Arsenal academy player you thought would become a superstar but never did?
Ife Ibrahim’s comments on Arsenal’s pathway for young players should send a message to Chido Obi
Chido Obi was one of Arsenal’s biggest prospects when he was at the club.
The teenager broke all sorts of records at youth level, and many felt that he would be the future of the club in attack.
However, Chido Obi felt that there wasn’t a pathway for him to the first team, which is why he joined Manchester United. He has played just eight games there, the last of which was in May 2025.
Ibrahim is of a completely different opinion. He said: “There’s a clear pathway for young players here, shown by Max, Marli and Andre also playing this season. There’s definitely an opportunity if you have the talent.”
Chido Obi must be looking at those comments with some regret now after failing to establish himself in the Manchester United first team.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
