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Wolves 18-year-old Morgan Gibbs-White on idolising Paul Scholes and learning from Joao Moutinho

Wolves midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White

Morgan Gibbs-White was 12 years old when Wolves last played Arsenal in the Premier League in 2012.

Six years on, the 18-year-old will hope to face the club he loved to watch growing up when Wolves visit Arsenal on Sunday, as he looks to build on his impressive display off the bench against Tottenham last Saturday.

One of eight players born in the year 2000 to feature in the Premier League, Gibbs-White describes himself an "athletic, powerful midfielder", but what ambitions does he hold for the future? And which player did he idolise growing up?

Sky Sports News caught up with the Wolves academy graduate…

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Born in the year 2000, which player did Wolves youngster Morgan Gibbs-White idolise growing up? And what is his first Premier League memory with Wolves in?

Idols and memories - 'He could pick out a pass from anywhere'

Gibbs-White, a six-month-old when England crashed out of Euro 2000 in the group stages, idolised Manchester United legend Paul Scholes when he was growing up.

Meanwhile, Wolves' five-year stint outside the Premier League from 2004 to 2009 means his first memory of the club in top-tier action happened just nine years ago…

"My idol growing up was Paul Scholes, it was just the way he kept things ticking in midfield and could pick out a pass from anywhere.

"When I was growing up I used to watch him and how he played, and I sort of try and add that to my game today.

My idol growing up was Paul Scholes, it was just the way he kept things ticking in midfield and could pick out a pass from anywhere.
Morgan GIbbs-White

"The first memory of Wolves in the Premier League was when we beat Liverpool. We were ballboys that game and I used to remember thinking, 'I wish I was playing'.

"I loved watching Arsenal and City are another team that are beautiful to watch, it's a dream to come up against these sorts of teams."

England ambitions - 'I've got to stay humble'

An U17 World Cup winner with England in 2017 - and goalscorer in the 5-2 final win over Spain - Gibbs-White is hopeful of following in Jadon Sacho's footsteps and turning out for Gareth Southgate's senior side - but all in good time…

"I've just got to stay humble and keep proving myself, hopefully the [U21] call-up might come.

"What Southgate is doing for the boys now is tremendous. The boys do deserve it. Sancho is out in Germany scoring and assisting left, right and centre, so the boys do deserve it.

Morgan Gibbs-White (No 19) scored in England U17's 5-2 World Cup final win against Spain
Image: Gibbs-White (No 19) scored in England U17's 5-2 World Cup final win against Spain

"When I was a kid I used to say to my dad before training, 'Dad, one day I want to make my Premier League debut and one day play for my country'.

"I'm en route to that now, I've made my Premier League debut and hopefully in years to come I can make my international debut as well."

Pushing for a start - 'I've got Moutinho and Neves for company'

Gibbs-White started both of Wolves' Carabao Cup games this season, but is yet to start a Premier League game, having come off the bench five times.

With Portuguese duo Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho for company in midfield, a starting berth in the league is no easy task…

"I believe I'm ready but it's all about timing. I can't expect anything because I've got Moutinho and Ruben Neves in front of me - two Portuguese internationals both with a lot of good experience.

Joao Moutinho celebrates his equaliser
Image: Gibbs-White says he is learning from Joao Moutinho on and off the pitch

"I've just got to bide my time and I'll know when my chance is ready, and I'll be ready to take it when it comes.

"[I'm learning] ridiculous amounts, learning every single day in training, not just on the pitch but off the pitch as well - the professionalism of Moutinho is improving me as a player as well."

Nuno - 'He's not scary at all!'

Gibbs-White was praised for his performance against Spurs on the weekend, but Wolves manager Nuno was intent on keeping the youngster grounded.

Asked what Nuno said to him after the match, Gibbs-White said: "Not much really, we haven't really spoken about it yet. He knows whenever my time is ready I'll be ready to take it.

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Highlights from Tottenham's 3-2 win over Wolves in the Premier League

"He wants to keep me humble and motivated, so he didn't really say much, but he's like that with all of us.

"He's a team manager and he wants us all to do well, not just individually. I think that's where we become as a team and push forward as a team.

"He's not scary at all, but you can tell when he wants something and you can tell what he wants in training. He'll demand off every single person in training and we'll try and do our best to give him what he wants."

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