Striker Jay Simpson has given an interview to Arsenal TV online speaking about various issues including his future at the club.
Yes I’m very pleased (to be back). I went out on loan last year and had a good season and I’m glad to be back now and working hard in pre-season.
He scored last Saturday against Barnet and believes his goal gave the team confidence to go on to win the game
It was very pleasing (to score) especially as we were 1-0 down. That seemed to lift us a bit in the game.
Jay won the League One player of the year award last season but admits that his development during his time with the Lions was the most important thing
It was a good acheivement for me but I am just focussing on playing as many games as I can and that’s just a bonus.
He had an option to stay at Millwall on a permanent basis but chose to return to Arsenal
The manager said to me that he wanted me to stay but I wanted to come back to Arsenal and try and get in the team.
As for his immediate future, Simpson had this to say
The boss told me to focus on pre-season, which I’m doing. So I’m just trying to work hard out here, learn as much as I can from this trip and hopefully take it back to England when we go back.
For the moment though, he is just pleased to be in Austria
Everybody wants to be involved out of the young pros and it’s an honour to be here and hopefully I’ll be able to repay the boss’s faith in me.
In other news, an Arsenal XI will take on Crawley Town this Saturday and the hosts are looking forward to the fixture, with their manager Steve Evans saying
“The Arsenal are coming to Crawley and we are very honoured.”
“It is a football club with the greatest traditions and we, as a management team, will put our wits against the likes of Liam Brady and Steve Bould.”
“This is the pre-season match that has excited everyone and another decent crowd will be in attendance. Given the quality of football we will see I am not surprised.”
“My players are working very hard but in my opinion Saturday will be the biggest test by far.”
“A number of these Arsenal players will play for Arsene Wenger in the Premiership this season and my players will get the chance to measure themselves against them, that will be very interesting.”
“I am grateful to Liam Brady, despite being a legend in football he always takes the time to call and have a chat. He is a very intelligent man.”
“This Saturday is a special day for us at Crawley Town and one that everyone is looking forward to. The players are excited and who can blame them.”
It should be a chance for some of the players that didn’t make it to Austria to give a good account of themselves and we might see some of the new first-years in action too. A full preview will be available tomorrow.
