Josh Dasilva has shared that he went to Arsenal trials donning a Manchester United kit, before leaving the club in 2018, which was the ‘hardest decision’ he has made in his career, as he told Football Focus.
The now-Brentford midfielder shared that he was eight-years-old at the first time of going to Arsenal, before coming through the ranks as a teenager, including making three senior appearances.
But he opted to head for the exit door in north London and move across the capital to join the then-Championship side, Brentford.
Whilst it’s sometimes hard leaving the bright lights of London’s biggest club, it was a call that paid off for Dasilva.
Fast forward to the present, and he is now a regular in the Premier League with Brentford, and he is also fast becoming a key player for Thomas Frank after his return from a long-term injury.
The versatile midfielder opened up on his journey at Arsenal, supporting Manchester United as a kid and how his parents told him to stay at the Emirates when he decided to leave.
“I grew up as a Manchester United supporter,” said Dasilva. “I have a funny story. I went on trial to Arsenal in a Manchester United kit. They were alright, to be fair. They laughed it off. I was young. I was like eight.
“It was new for me being in that sort of set-up. Looking back it was just enjoyment. I loved every minute of it. Probably the hardest decision I had to make (leaving Arsenal in 2018).
“But I didn’t feel there was a pathway for me. My Mom and Dad wanted me to stay because I had been there for so long.”
BRAVE CALL FROM DASILVA
Players coming through academies, especially those at the top of the tree, can be sold a lot of false dreams at times and those bright lights could become a source of distraction rather than help.
Plus, when you are under the guidance of such a huge club, then it’s a lot easier to stay put, rather than make the brave call to leave, step down a level and then progress your career.
Well, that’s exactly what Dasilva did and he is now being rewarded for his bravery with a Brentford side that is looking to cement its place in the Premier League.
The Bees survived relegation after promotion last summer and now the real hard work starts because a lot more is expected of them and this is where they will want to build foundations to remain in England’s top-flight for the long-term.
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