Dennis Parkes caught up with Ruby Grant about her time at Arsenal, and the decision to go and play at the University of North Carolina next year.
The 18-year-old academy prospect has appeared twice for the Gunners senior team this season, and has a very exciting future ahead as she embarks on a new chapter.
SK: How would you summarise your time at Arsenal?
RG: I don’t think I really have a way to summarise the 10 years I’ve been fortunate to have at Arsenal. I have met so many amazing people and made so many memories that will stick with me for the rest of my life. I’m extremely grateful for my time at Arsenal. All the coaches who have supported me over the years I owe a lot of thanks to, as they have helped me to achieve so many of my proudest moments so far.
SK: How much influence does Joe Montemurro have over what happens in the academy?
RG: It’s made clear in the academy that the goal is to develop as an Arsenal player and break into the First team. I think also the fact that Joe is such an experienced manager and a big name in the Women’s game puts a motivation in the U21 team as you want to be coached by him and have the experience of being in and around the first team.
SK: How difficult was it to manage school and playing in the Arsenal academy?
RG: It’s kind of a challenge you have to figure out as you go. You definitely have to make the most of any spare time you have, I spent the majority of coach journeys catching up on missed notes and revising for later tests. Both Arsenal and my school. Owens were very understanding of the position I am in so I was very grateful for that, and it did take quite a lot of stress off of me. Obviously not doing A levels now frees up my schedule and takes the worry of exams away, so I can now solely focus on my football and preparing myself for the pre-season whenever we restart.
SK: Which subjects did you study, and what will you be looking to do at university?
RG: I studied Biology, Psychology and PE for A level at Dame Alice Owens. Psychology is particularly something that interests me so I am hoping to carry that on at University, as I feel when I retire from football I would be interested in becoming a sports psychologist.
SK: What made you decide to leave Arsenal for UNC? How did they approach you, and was it an easy decision?
RG: The realisation of how immense sport is in America and how serious Women’s football is taken helped make my decision. I was lucky enough to play in the Dallas Cup in Texas with the Arsenal U16s in 2016 and that was a really exciting experience for me. I actually approached North Carolina as I was aware of their reputation and from there we had contact until I was able to visit in 2019. I don’t think it’s ever an easy decision to leave your childhood club, also given I’d been at Arsenal 10 years now I wanted to make sure I was leaving for the right reasons and to a place I was completely comfortable I would continue to develop as a player. For me, North Carolina is the place that will take my development as a player and person to the next level.
SK: What are you most excited about going to America for?
RG: I think the thing I’m most excited for is a fresh start where I can learn so much more about the game. I think it’s exciting to be exposed to a different way of playing and important to be immersed in different cultures. Also I know I’m very lucky that the
coaching staff and my teammates at Carolina are exceptional, so it is exciting to have the opportunity to be coached and learn information from some of the best in the world, whilst also playing alongside some girls who have the potential to be the best in the world.
SK: Do you have any plans for when you graduate, or is that too far away right now? A return to the WSL perhaps?
RG: It’s always been my childhood dream to play professionally at Arsenal, so I definitely will try to make this a reality sometime in my career. I don’t know, however, where the game will take me or what club I will end up at after I graduate, but my intention is to graduate a better player who can sign and go pro after leaving uni.
SK: And finally, how are you keeping yourself fit and ready for the season during isolation? Are the club helping you with it, are North Carolina in contact with you about anything?
RG: Both North Carolina and Arsenal have offered great platforms of support in this challenging period. I have access to a range of different physical programs which I use on a daily basis. Also I am just ensuring I maximise my contact with the ball working on technical elements of the game to remain sharp. Something fun that I’m really enjoying taking part in is the weekly skill challenge that the Arsenal U21’s coach sets. It’s definitely a good way to keep the competitive spirit up! Furthermore, UNC does these amazing team calls once a week which provide a lot of information and motivation for a new coming freshman like me.
