ARSENAL loanee Daniel Ballard says he is looking forward to playing ‘real football’ during his season-long spell at Swindon Town.

Ballard has been at the Gunners since he was seven-years-old and played 18 times for their under-23 side last season as well as featuring in all three EFL Trophy matches.

The 19-year-old has never been out on loan before and professed his nervousness before arriving in Wiltshire, but said every member of the club has welcomed him with open arms.

The centre-back, who qualifies to play for Northern Ireland through his mother’s side of the family, is keen to get stuck in during his first taste of professional football and admits the standard of play in League Two is arguably higher than it is throughout the academy version.

Discussing the differences between under-23 football and what he expects from the professional game, Ballard said: “The team I’ve come into is full of top players.

“They’re physically strong and they can deal with it, but they’re also really good footballers.

“It’s hard for U23 players coming down to leagues like this because the standard is probably better.

“Mixed in with the physicality, it’s a tough place to come and play.

“That’s why I wanted to get involved, to learn as much as possible.

“The under-23s can’t really give you that real matchday experience with the fans and that real need to win a game.

“(My aim) is just to try and play in as many league games as possible, playing against different types of strikers to the ones I’m used to, having the pressure from the fans and playing real football.”

Managed by Premier League winning assistant boss Steve Bould in Arsenal’s under-23s, and playing alongside genuine first-team hopeful Emile Smith-Rowe, Ballard could have been forgiven for continuing to enjoy a comfortable life in N7.

But the teenage defender has a desire to push himself to the limit and knows a little extra gym equipment will not be enough on its own to help him fulfil his dreams of playing at the top level.

Ballard said: “Arsenal are a big club and I’m lucky enough to be involved in all of that.

“The changing rooms might be a bit nicer and the gym might have a few more things in it, but it all comes down to the football in the end.

“The pitches are great at Swindon, but I know that might be a bit different going across some of the grounds in League Two.

“Yes, there is a difference between the two (Arsenal and Swindon), but it’s not life changing and we’re still lucky to have what we’ve got here.”