Stephy Mavididi plans to be in the Arsenal first in a year’s time after gaining valuable experience on loan at Charlton Athletic.

Mavididi is spending the second half of the season on loan at League 1 Charlton after a challenging time at Preston.

He only received 333 minutes of first team football in the Championship, and decided that taking a step down to League One would be more beneficial than returning to Arsenal.

So far, he’s been proven right. He’s scored two goals in four appearances, one of which was an excellent solo goal against Oldham Athletic.

The 19-year-old has no shortage of confidence.

When asked where he sees himself in a year, he told Football London“Hopefully in Arsenal’s first-team. That’s the plan.”

The forward combines pace and power with clinical finishing and proved too much to handle at u23 level.

He sees himself as an exciting player, and aims to take the best bits from the best strikers around.

“I’m a player that’s willing to get on the ball and make things happen,” he said. “Someone that excites people, someone that’s quick and direct.”

“I like to take bits from a few players. I like to soak up bits from top strikers and put it into one – like Ronaldo, Thierry (Henry), Harry Kane. I like to watch clips of them and try to replicate different scenarios in training and in matches.”

Mavididi views his time at Charlton as important, real world experience that will serve him well when he returns to Arsenal.

“You get that buzz when it comes to the end of the week. Mentally and physically there are benefits. The demands of the game – can you play Tuesday-Saturday at high intensity? Some say it’s more like you’re in the real world. Whereas when you’re at that top club it’s like you’re in a bubble.

“Players get used to that bubble and take it for granted, so when you step out of that you see the real world. It gives you a different perspective so you work harder, and then later stay in that bubble. It’s a good experience.”

He’ll have considerable competition next season to get first team minutes, but this loan at Charlton won’t do him any harm.

He is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury.