Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
BELIEVE IN BATTER
Blackpool starlet Jordan feels he can be a big fish.. by following advice from Alexander-arnold’s mentor
League One, 3pm JORDAN GABRIEL is benefiting from the advice of Trent Alexanderarnold’s old mentor as he plots a path to the Premier League.
Gabriel said getting shown the door by his boyhood club Arsenal aged 15 was “heartbreaking”.
Lots of his talented peers from the Gunners youth teams have disappeared from football altogether.
But Gabriel has grafted his way back via Southend to Nottingham Forest, who started him in their first two games this season before loaning him to in-form Blackpool. The right-back, 22, is now impressing with the promotion-chasing Seasiders under Neil Critchley (right).
He took over a year ago at Bloomfield Road after leaving Liverpool, where he worked previously coaching starlets including titlewinning attacking right-back Arnold.
Ahead of Plymouth’s visit today, Gabriel said: “We have had a few conversations about Trent and he knows that is the level I want to get to. It is a big step, but I’m willing to put the work in because it is my dream and my goal.
“I’m not going to let anyone stop me from getting there. The manager has said if Trent can do it, I can do it.
“He said Trent has got to where he has because of hard work and dedication.
“He has said I need to put in that too, and I believe and trust in him.
“He has helped me improve my crossing and pass selection, which is crucial the higher you go.
“But as a full-back you are a defender first and if you can’t defend then you are a liability.
“He has helped me with
my positioning too, knowing when to go forward and when to go back – game management.
“Before I would rely on my pace to get me out of trouble but now I’m using my head.”
Gabriel sat down in sunny
Lytham with a well-earned fish and chips. And with a body fat of less than five per cent, the defender can handle the odd treat.
Gabriel (left) believes his path will still take him to the top despite the agony of leaving Arsenal. He added: “I remember sitting in an office with Liam Brady and they
couldn’t guarantee me becoming a scholar and felt it was best for me to leave. “Being at Arsenal from the age of eight and supporting them with my whole family who love them, it was heartbreaking. “A lot of people have dropped out which is upsetting, because I have seen them grow as a person and a player. But I have always wanted to be out there fighting to get to the top one way or another. “I felt going down a few leagues and being a big fish in a small pond would help. “I have dropped down to then come back up.”