Shrewsbury's Arthur Gnahoua is chasing his Wembley dream
Arthur Gnahoua dreamed of playing at Wembley as a youngster growing up in the capital.
He left London at a young age with dreams of one day turning out for Manchester United, and his rise to League One began on battered Sunday league pitches,
Shrewsbury’s Gnahoua can push closer to his personal target tonight as he bids to book a quarter-final ticket in the Checkatrade Trophy.
The Ivorian, who was born in London, is expected to play a part as Paul Hurst’s men do battle with league rivals Blackpool at Montgomery Waters Meadow in the last 16 tonight.
The 25-year-old stepped up three divisions after signing from Kidderminster Harriers in the summer. He may be some way from Old Trafford yet, but Wembley is looming for the man that started at Stalybridge Celtic.
“It’s not too far from my house in south London,” said the softly-spoken Gnahoua. “Maybe my family might be able to come and see me.
“Everyone dreams of playing there. It’s a good opportunity for us to play there.
“I left my dad and my mum when I was young so it was kind of hard for me. Sometimes I go down to see them but it has been hard.
“My brother coached me and taught me how to play football. It’s been hard but at the same time it’s been good to improve.
“I was living in London but my brother wanted me to play for Manchester United.
“That was the dream. So we moved to Manchester and from there we played Sunday league and stuff. You never know one day.
“He comes to the games where he knows I might play, he’ll be there tonight.”
Gnahoua is a popular figure at Sundorne Castle. His ability has seldom been questioned by both Hurst and his Town team-mates.
He was quickly nicknamed ‘ghost’ due to his quiet and shy demeanour.
But the former Harrier was keen to oust the opinion that he is short on self-belief and confidence.
During the 10-minute interview, he used word ‘improve’ countless times. Improving is something Gnahoua feels he is doing daily.
“It was definitely a big step to League One but I knew I could play in this league,” the wide man, who has three goals this season, insisted. “I need to keep proving myself.
“People say that I don’t have a lot of confidence and I need to show it more and do better.
“I am confident. I make a lot of mistakes and I need to learn from them so I can improve.”
Hurst recently said Gnahoua needs to “earn his trust” in carrying out the ‘defensive dirty work’ of a winger.
He smiled: “I know the manager said he wants to trust me more. It’s important that I can attack and also defend in case I need to help my defenders.
“Every game I learn, each time, I hope I can improve.”
Gnahoua’s sees tonight’s cup tie as important to Town. A step nearer to Wembley’s arch, he is keen to help replicate the league form in Shrews’ cup quests.
It is still some way from Jose Mourinho’s United, but Gnahoua has come some way from Stalybridge. He enjoyed Sunday’s cameo in front of a national audience.
“It meant a lot to get on against West Ham, to play on TV where everyone around the country can see me,” he said. “I just hope that one day I can in more games like this.”
