Aaron aims to leave the Gunners all shook up – with a little help from Elvis
Aaron Pressley has listened intently to tales and teachings from dad Steven’s fine career.
Even Pressley Snr’s debut debacle in English football, for Coventry City, had an airing, despite the X-rated content.
When only 21 in October, 1994, the future Scotland defender was tormented by two-goal Ian Wright against Arsenal at Highbury.
Now, 27 years later, his son is relishing an opportunity to face the Gunners.
The Brentford 19-year-old is on loan at AFC Wimbledon and, thanks to the Carabao Cup draw, he’s heading for the Emirates on Wednesday.
A towering striker at 6ft 4in, Pressley has started the League One club’s two games in the tournament.
He said: “I’m hoping to start a third now, but I’ll have to see. The manager likes to switch the team for whatever suits that particular game.
“We’re a relatively young squad, and we’re all thinking: ‘This is the kind of stage I want to get to.’. So it would be good to get a taste.
“Dad told me he once gave away two goals at Arsenal. Hopefully, I can get a couple of goals at the Emirates.”
A 19-goal season, described as “sensational” by Brentford B coach, Neil MacFarlane, made Pressley a young man in demand in the summer.
Scotland was an option, but Wimbledon’s good previous with loans swayed him to Mark Robinson’s group.
By leaving Aston Villa in January, 2020, Pressley’s own first-team prospects have been enhanced. He explained: “Brentford always has a plan for each player. You can see by their recruitment strategy.
“So I’ve not just been chucked to Wimbledon to see how it goes. If I do well, I come back to be involved in the Premier League squad.
“Villa were great for me, but I felt I didn’t have a future there in terms of a pathway.
“Working with Neil has taken my game and belief to a different level.”
The striker’s dad – forever nicknamed “Elvis” – is now head of individual development at data-driven Brentford.
So if Aaron is promoted permanently – he made three sub outings last year – he’ll work with his old man.
“Dad has been the voice I’ve listened to most,” said Aaron. “He watches a lot of my games.
“As a centre-half, he knows what’s tough to play against, so tells me what he didn’t like coming up against as a defender.
“I get great general advice about football, about being patient. He’s been through it, so I can trust everything he says.
“I was always going to be a footballer, ever since kicking a ball about on the Tynecastle pitch, then walking out at Hampden with dad as a mascot when Hearts beat Gretna in the 2006 Scottish Cup Final.”
So what can Mikel Arteta’s defence expect to deal with?
“I can be a really good link-up player,” he said. “I have good movement in the box, I’m a good finisher and, for my size, I’m quite quick.
“I don’t want to be that big striker who stands up the pitch and heads balls. I’m cleverer than that. I want to get involved with balls to feet, running behind – and scoring.”