Luke what you can do if you keep at it
LEEDS defender Luke Ayling is proof that there is more than one way to make it in the Premier League.
The Elland Road favourite was in the Arsenal youth team that lifted the FA
Youth Cup in 2009 alongside talents like Jack Wilshere, Emmanuel Frimpong and Francis Coquelin.
But he believes leaving the Emirates to join Yeovil at the age of 18 was the making of him – and after four years at Huish Park and a couple of seasons with Bristol City, he arrived at Leeds five years ago to play a key role in the Yorkshire club’s renaissance.
“I got released at 18 and knew I had to fight to make a career for myself,” said Ayling, who will feature in Marcelo Bielsa’s defence when Liverpool arrive at Elland Road.
“Whether that was in League One, Championship or whatever, I just wanted to play football.
“I did alright. I fought my way back and I’m here. Now I’ve got to work hard to stay here.
“I’ve certainly got better physically. The biggest thing for me personally was getting out and playing men’s football.
“I was quite comfortable in Arsenal reserves and could have played an extra
year there, but it didn’t really do much for my career.
“So I decided to take the step to Yeovil and play firstteam football.
“Just learning how to play the game at men’s level was the best thing for me. I certainly feel like I made the right decision.”
While Ayling’s career has been on an upward curve, it isn’t lost on him that Wilshere’s fortunes have plummeted.
The midfielder was hailed as English football’s saviour when he broke into Arsene Wenger’s side.
But a succession of injuries have taken their toll and his is now without a club after unsuccessful spells at West Ham and Bournemouth.
Ayling said: “Ten years ago, Jack was destined to be
one of the best players we ever produced. He had so many injuries and that time out of the game cost him.
“He was an unbelievable player, I remember going to watch him at the Emirates at 16, us lads were sitting there watching our mate doing the stuff he was doing. It really pushed us on.
“You could say I’ve been a slow burner, but I’ve been learning every year to get where I am.
“Certainly in the last few years I’ve kicked on. I’m not saying that I was a bad professional at Yeovil and my other teams.
“But I just feel that since the boss [Bielsa] has come in here, I’ve really taken a bit more care and seen a different way of doing things, the food you eat and so on.”