Cohen Bramall insists his rise from factory worker to Arsenal player will only hit him when he makes his first-team debut.
The 21-year-old left-back was playing for non-league side Hednesford Town last year, where his 'Rabona' assist became a viral sensation - though Bramall maintains his improvised skill just felt "normal".
There is nothing ordinary about Bramall's surge up the football ladder, though, as he recalled the night he found out Arsenal had come calling - just a day after losing his day job.
"I had a game for Sheffield Wednesday U23s against Birmingham, probably one of the best games I've been involved in, and the next day I got made redundant from my day job at Bentley motors," Bramall told Soccer AM.
"On the Wednesday I got a call that Shrewsbury Town wanted me on trial for the Thursday and Friday. I then got a call on Wednesday night saying Arsenal want you in with the first team on Thursday and Friday.
"I was like 'what, I don't believe you'. I thought it was a prank."
Bramall thought he would be training with the development squad at Arsenal's base, but was put straight in alongside the Gunners' first-team regulars.
"I got thrown in the deep end and I had to take everything under control, just think I'm playing with normal players," he added. "But I was playing with some of the best players in the world."
Arsene Wenger signed the pacey wide player the following month, and while Bramall has now stopped pinching himself awake, the youngster will only relax once he makes his Arsenal bow.
"It will only properly hit me when I've made an appearance for the first-team," he said.
Asked if that will come soon, Bramall said: "Hopefully." - Sky Sports
The 21-year-old left-back was playing for non-league side Hednesford Town last year, where his 'Rabona' assist became a viral sensation - though Bramall maintains his improvised skill just felt "normal".
There is nothing ordinary about Bramall's surge up the football ladder, though, as he recalled the night he found out Arsenal had come calling - just a day after losing his day job.
"I had a game for Sheffield Wednesday U23s against Birmingham, probably one of the best games I've been involved in, and the next day I got made redundant from my day job at Bentley motors," Bramall told Soccer AM.
"On the Wednesday I got a call that Shrewsbury Town wanted me on trial for the Thursday and Friday. I then got a call on Wednesday night saying Arsenal want you in with the first team on Thursday and Friday.
"I was like 'what, I don't believe you'. I thought it was a prank."
Bramall thought he would be training with the development squad at Arsenal's base, but was put straight in alongside the Gunners' first-team regulars.
"I got thrown in the deep end and I had to take everything under control, just think I'm playing with normal players," he added. "But I was playing with some of the best players in the world."
Arsene Wenger signed the pacey wide player the following month, and while Bramall has now stopped pinching himself awake, the youngster will only relax once he makes his Arsenal bow.
"It will only properly hit me when I've made an appearance for the first-team," he said.
Asked if that will come soon, Bramall said: "Hopefully." - Sky Sports
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