On August 29, Arsenal officially announced the signing of a professional contract with Marley Salmon.

Arsenal Official Announcement:

The young defender signed his first senior contract on his 17th birthday, officially becoming a professional player. He joined the club in 2019 as a striker for the U11s, but over his seven years at Arsenal, the 17-year-old has developed into a formidable defender.

He said: "It means a lot to me. There's been a lot of hard work, a lot of ups and downs, but I feel very proud, and I think it's a proud moment for my family as well—a reward for them, because they've invested a lot of time and energy in me. It's a testament to the hard work they and I have put in."

"When I first came, I was playing as a striker, so it was quite different, but it feels good. And it sounds a bit cliché, but life is indeed full of ups and downs. I've been through a lot of tough times. Sometimes you really face adversity, but these experiences have made me who I am today, so I'm grateful for that."

"It's always a great experience to be with the first team. You not only learn things on the pitch, but also things off the pitch—like how they prepare and how they conduct themselves. It's very valuable, and I'm grateful for everyone I've met here. You can learn from them and see them firsthand. There are so many details to observe, which is great."

"It was great to be part of winning the championship last season. You see how many tiny details there are. The season is long and a lot changes during it, but maintaining a high level of performance for so long requires a lot of effort. It's all these small things that make you a champion."

Everyone at Arsenal congratulates Marley on signing his first professional contract and wishes him all the best for the upcoming season.

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