Danny leaning towards being a Wenger boy
DANNY KARBASSIYOON has spoken of his 'awesome' experience that he had when training with Arsenal, which has seen the Premiership champions offer the exciting forward a professional contract.
The 18-year-old, who was nurtured at Roanoke Star in Virginia, was uncovered by scouts from The Gunners at the Adidas Elite Soccer Program Camp in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Karbassiyoon finished the Camp as top scorer - leading to an invite to come to England for a closer look by the Arsenal coaching staff.
"After ESP (Camp) they called me and invited me over to train," said Karbassiyoon. "It was awesome, so fast.
"I got to train with the first team one day, it was definitely very amazing. Me and Thierry Henry were the forwards for our team. Patrick Vieira was in the midfield, Ashley Cole in the back, and I was actually being marked by Sol Campbell. It was really cool."
And despite being in world class company, the young American still managed to show his eye for goal.
"Against the first team I didn't do too bad," he added. "I scored two goals at the training ground. I just played everything one touch because I was so nervous - I could have just sat there and watched the first team play and been happy."
His French strike partner in the training matches certainly left an impression on Karbassiyoon.
"When (Thierry) gets the ball he's like lightning. He's so fast when you watch him on TV, but when you actually see him run by people on the field - it's amazing how fast he goes."
Heading back home to the US from his August trial spell with The Gunners, Karbassiyoon did not have to wait long for the letter that would offer him an amazing - yet daunting - opportunity to officially become a player with the English champions.
"About two weeks after I got home from England they called me," he added. "The guy that brought me over there said they were offering a tough choice between school and playing professionally - I think he was kinda worried about messing up what I had going over here - but he told me the official letter offering me a contract was already in the mail, and they were going to give me some time to think it over.
"I just thought - this is awesome! The first time they called me to invite me over to train, they asked me if I knew who they were - I was like 'Are you kidding me?! Of course I know who you are!' It was indescribable."
Obviously getting the right sort of advice, Karbassiyoon is well aware of the pitfalls of football in Europe, with US international superstar Landon Donovan (pictured) resigned to the reserves at Bayer Leverkusen, before an agreement between MLS and the Bundesliga club allowed the Californian to play with San Jose, helping them to the MLS championship, and stardom in the World Cup.
Players can become world class in MLS - with the proof on show in Japan/Korea for everyone to see - and that career choice is a matter that needs serious consideration from Karbassiyoon.
"The only reason it's a hard decision I guess, is because it's a bit of a free for all out there - all these good players competing for a spot. It's not like college (soccer).
"I was hoping I'd just go to college and maybe leave a year or two early and go into MLS. I guess that was my dream."
The youngster is set to start his career at Highbury at the turn of the year, and this appears to be a challenge he will take up.
"Right now it's not one hundred percent definite, but I'm leaning that way," he added in reference to him taking up Arsenal's offer.
"I've told some colleges I'd come visit so I don't want to just blow them off. So I'll give a couple of colleges a visit, but I'm pretty sure I'll go to Arsenal."
