Arsenal starlet Julio Pleguezuelo admits that his injury plagued season has been tougher for him especially since he is away from the comforts of living with his family.
The young defender joined Arsenal’s academy from Barcelona in the summer of 2013 and is highly-rated amongst the youth coaches in north London.
However, the youngster has suffered a torrid time this season and spent five months on the sidelines before he returned to action for Arsenal’s Under-21 team against Stoke earlier this month before playing the full 90 minutes against Reading last week.
It was the first time he had lasted a full match since November’s UEFA Youth League match against Borussia Dortmund and only the second time in a season plagued by injuries.
Pleguezuelo admits that the long road to recovery has been arduous, especially after he spent the majority of the season on the sidelines because of multiple injuries which halted his progress.
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The 18-year-old stressed that the journey has been even tougher because he is away from the comforts of staying with his family but he is grateful towards his team-mates and coaches for supporting him during a difficult period.
“This season I’ve had a couple of long injuries”, Pleguezuelo told Arsenal's site.
“I did my ankle first and then, in my first game back, I did my groin.
“I was out for nearly three months, came back for three games and did my knee and was out for four months. I played against Stoke for 20 minutes and then made my first start of the season for the Under-21s against Reading.
“It’s been a tough season but I have to be strong mentally. My family are all in Spain so I’m all alone in England.
“It’s quite hard but it helps you a lot, especially the support I receive from my team-mates and coaches."
Pleguezuelo is expected to start when Arsenal Under-21s face Middlesbrough at Riverside Stadium later this evening.
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