England man eyes 'breakthrough season' with Arsenal.

England’s Benik Afobe is hoping his summer international form can be taken onto the club stage as he travels with Arsenal in the Far East ahead of the new season.

The 19-year-old was part of the U19s squad who reached the semi-final of the European Championship earlier in July before joining the Gunners squad as they prepare for the new Premier League campaign in Malaysia and Afobe is looking to make the breakthrough at the Emirates Stadium this year.

"This is probably the biggest season in my career so far - I think it could be a breakthrough season,” he admitted to his club’s official website.

"I am taking it one step at a time and my goal is just to do well out here in the Far East.

"I have always been determined to make it into the first team, it has been my dream since I was seven-years-old so the closer I get, the hungrier I am. If I get a chance, I hope I can take it.”

Afobe, who has been a regular goalscorer for England at U16, U17 and U19 level, has already spoken of his friendship with team-mate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who went from playing for England U19s to the Senior team within the space of a year, and that is the sort of progression that the east Londoner is looking to emulate and take inspiration from.

"I used to play against Alex in youth team matches when we were younger, he is such a nice lad and he works hard - it shows us that young English lads can make it here,” he added.

"I was delighted for him (being selected for England Senior squad) and he told me before the first game that he was starting, and all I said was ‘show them what you can do’. He did exactly that, so hopefully he will play more games for England in the future.

"He is an inspiration, even if he is the same age as me, so I am just going to try and follow in his footsteps.”