Arsenal Academy star Glen Kamara is champing at the bit to make his Colchester United debut, at home to Blackpool this afternoon.

Classy midfielder Kamara, a Finland Under-21 international, signed for the U’s on a loan deal on transfer deadline day (August 31). He will stay at the Weston Homes Community Stadium until January.

Kamara had a loan spell at Essex neighbours Southend United last term, making six appearances in League One – he featured in the Shrimpers’ 3-0 home win over the U’s last February.

But the 20-year-old is now looking forward to making his mark with the League Two U’s, and helping John McGreal’s men to launch a promotion bid over the weeks and months to come.

Certainly, Kamara, like most young players in his position, has found it very difficult to break into the Arsenal first-team set-up, so a loan move elsewhere is his best bet for kick-starting his senior career.

“It was all very last-minute,” explained Kamara, in terms of his loan move to the U’s.

Kamara continued: “But it was something that I was always looking to do, definitely. I had spoken to a few clubs before this deal, although nothing really materialised.

“These loans are good experience for me, to be playing and training amongst men rather than just playing for the under-23s.

“We are fighting for the three points every week, and it’s a lot more serious. It’s people’s livelihoods at stake. I’ve played in League One with Southend, but I’m not expecting too much difference in League Two, even though I haven’t played a game yet.

“Obviously Colchester were in League One last season, and they still have the same qualities.

“They like to play football, I knew that before I even came here, so I’m looking forward to playing for them.

“It’s tough at Arsenal, trying to see a way through to the first team.

“Of course it’s tough because they have loads of good midfielders there, so it’s hard to make the breakthrough.

“There’s so much quality there, and just training with such great players is a good experience.

“I’d urge others like me to try and get out on loan,” added Kamara.

Kamara, who was born in Tampere, Finland, is a stalwart of the international under-21s set-up.

He explained: “I was born in Finland, and I lived there for 12 years.

“I then came to England and I was at Southend initially, when I was 15 of 16, before going on to Arsenal.

“I’ve played against the likes of Germany and Austria (Under-21 teams), against good players and good teams, so it’s a high level.

“But now it’s time to get my head down at Colchester United. It’s a big move for me, and a big chance.

“I want to try and push on with my career, and to do good things for this club.

“I know Tarique Fosu and some of the younger lads, like Dexter (Peter), so there’s a few familiar faces around the club.”

As regards his own strengths, Kamara added: “I like to get on the ball, with some short passing, and I like to win the ball back so that we can get forward.

“I haven’t played so much football over the last few months, but I’m there or thereabouts.

“I want to keep up the team’s good start to the season, because I think we should be pushing for the top six. It’s a big opportunity for me, trying to establish myself in the team.”