Arsenal loanee Harry Clarke scored his first goal for Stoke City on Saturday, admitting afterwards that his emotions were “all over the place”.

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND: Harry Clarke of Stoke City scoring the first goal of the match during the Sky Bet Championship match between Stoke City and Blackpool at Bet365 Stadium on August 06, 2022. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND: Harry Clarke of Stoke City scoring the first goal of the match during the Sky Bet Championship match between Stoke City and Blackpool at Bet365 Stadium on August 06, 2022. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images)

Harry Clarke has played a number of positions in his young career. The 21-year-old moved from central midfield to centre-back with the Arsenal youth teams, then out to right-back and wing-back during his spells at Ross County and Hibernian FC.

The early signs suggest that’s where Stoke City plan to use him, with Clarke starting as a right-wing-back in his two Championship starts so far.

That gives the Arsenal youngster some license to get forward, but it also gives him some responsibility to contribute offensively. So it was great to see him getting off the mark with a goal this weekend.

In his competitive home debut for Stoke against Blackpool, Clarke popped up at the back post to power a header into the net for 1-0, before racing away to celebrate.

“(My emotions were) all over the place,” Clarke admitted. “The celebration was a bit dodgy, I think I’m getting fined for that. It felt good.

“I really wanted to really give the fans something to shout about this week and show them what I can do. But again, I’ve got more in the bank, I can do more.”

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND: Harry Clarke of Stoke City celebrates scoring the first goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Stoke City and Blackpool at Bet365 Stadium on August 06, 2022. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND: Harry Clarke of Stoke City celebrates scoring the first goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Stoke City and Blackpool at Bet365 Stadium on August 06, 2022. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images)

Clarke managed to help his loan side see out a 2-0 win in the end, despite the late substitute introduction of fellow Gunner Charlie Patino for the opposition.

The defender will now prepare for his first cup tie with Stoke, as they face Morecambe in the League Cup first round away from home on Tuesday at 19:45 BST.