The 18-year-old central defender joins us as the new season gets underway, following in the footsteps of his father Matthew, who also joined us when he was 18 in 1997."

It's a great feeling, really proud to be here," Elijah said after signing his contract, "[it's] really nice to have all my family and everyone around it, it's been a great experience.

"My dad signed here around the same time as me, it's great to have someone with a good experience of the place. But at the same time, I'm definitely looking forward to building my own reputation and getting started.

"When I met the guys here recently and met all the team and staff, it just seemed like a really nice environment. That was probably the biggest factor, an environment where you feel you can hopefully learn and get better as a person."

Elijah is a powerful centre-back, defending his own penalty area from the first minute to the last, as well as posing a threat in the opposition box. 

"Aerially, I'm quite good, it's definitely a strength of mine. Obviously, I'm a defender, but if I can take that into an attacking side of things, then that's also really good and an area I can use that quality as well. 

"I'd [also] say I've definitely worked hard in terms of my passing range and having a good, longer passing range. I'd say that could be a good strength of mine; I'm looking forward to making those qualities better." 

The young defender will be hoping to emulate several Gunners over the past few years who have progressed from our Academy into making first-team debuts.

While Elijah naturally looks up to the defenders in our squad, the pathway from our Academy to the first team certainly caught his eye before putting pen to paper on his contract. 

"That was also one of the big reasons for my decision. Obviously, great exposure to some of these great players that have had a great season here and some real top quality. I'm excited to hopefully be around and work with these people. 

"I think definitely the centre-back partnership in the first team that there is between Saliba and Gabriel, they're a good inspiration and really experienced, high quality players. They've had a great season, definitely two players that I'm really keen to learn from and expose myself to hopefully."

Elijah will be getting straight into action for our Academy as training continues in preparation for the new season, with the teenager excited to get involved in his first Arsenal match. 

"[I'm hoping for] some to exposure to the first team, obviously building a good foundation of games in the 21s and different competitions in the 21s. Hopefully great exposure to the players that are here, and improving."This deal is subject to the completion of the regulatory processes.