Tyreece John-Jules is aiming to make his competitive debut for Arsenal this season, after scoring a brace in the opening game of pre-season.

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 13: Tyreece John-Jules of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League Group E match between Arsenal and Qarabag FK at Emirates Stadium on December 13, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 13: Tyreece John-Jules of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League Group E match between Arsenal and Qarabag FK at Emirates Stadium on December 13, 2018, in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

An Arsenal XI took on Boreham Wood over the weekend in the club’s pre-season opener, but they got off to a shaky start falling 3-1 behind in the first 45 minutes. John-Jules then came on at half-time and scored twice to earn the team a draw.

Speaking to Arsenal after the match, the 18-year-old admitted he was glad to be back playing again, and he revealed his goals for the coming season.

“It was a good experience to get back on the pitch, I’ve missed playing for Arsenal out there and it was all about getting fitness and recovery today and I was delighted to get two goals,” he said.

“[I’m aiming to] stay injury free and keep my fitness up and hopefully get a chance in the first team, and if I do, take it. Hopefully, I can make my competitive debut this season and be a strong part of the under-23s team and then kick on.”

John-Jules made an unofficial debut for the Arsenal first-team back in March, playing in a friendly against Al-Nasr Dubai SC. It didn’t take him long to get on the scoresheet on that occasion either, coming off the bench to put the side 3-1 up.

Obviously, the next step is to do the same in a competitive fixture, but the striker is going to have to keep proving himself in training and in the upcoming senior friendlies to earn that chance.