Arsenal have officially announced the signing of a new professional contract with 19-year-old Dutch right winger Ismaël Kébé, locking down the promising youngster’s future at the club. Kébé has so far made just one senior appearance for the Gunners: he came on as a substitute in last season’s EFL Cup third-round clash against Bolton Wanderers, and though he only got 8 minutes on the pitch, it marked a crucial milestone in his career.
Reflecting on that memorable debut, Kébé could barely hide his excitement: "This is truly the moment every kid who plays football dreams of—it’s like a dream turning into reality. I didn’t get many touches in those 8 minutes, but just stepping onto the pitch was incredible. Playing in front of so many fans definitely brings pressure, but as they say, pressure forges a diamond. I’ve always thought: if you can stand your ground under pressure, you can compete anywhere."
Looking back on his growth last season, Kébé admitted it "surpassed expectations": "I’m happy with how I played—this season’s achievements were way more than I imagined at the start. For the new season, my goal is to score more goals and provide more assists. My overall performance is solid right now, but I need to work harder on my finishing in the final third."
Kébé also spoke about his experience on Arsenal’s pre-season tour to Hong Kong, China and Singapore, describing it as a valuable learning curve: "That tour was a double test of fitness and tactics. The style the coach wants us to play is really challenging, since the team is always pushing for a higher level. It was tough, but I learned so much. Luckily, the teammates have been really supportive—they help me adjust on the pitch, and they don’t criticize me if I make mistakes. It’s such a great team environment."
