B/R Exclusive: Catching Up With Danny Karbassiyoon

Danny Karbassiyoon is a name many Arsenal fans in the USA will know and remember. Danny moved to Arsenal at the age of 18, and was a very talented striker. After his move to Arsenal, he was converted into a left-back and was the first American to score for the Gunners, with a superb finish against Manchester City in a League Cup game.

Unfortunately, for Danny though, he couldn't quite make it at Arsenal—and after such a huge disappointment, he had to face the heart break of having to retire at the age of 22 due to a recurring knee injury.

Danny is now a scout for Arsenal in the North America and Mexico regions.

I caught up with Danny Karbassiyoon and asked him a few questions about him and his time at Arsenal.

1. Danny, when did you start playing football? What got you interested in the sport?

I started playing soccer when I was roughly five-years-old. My dad still plays today and I'd go watch him play all the time. Growing up in an Iranian/Italian household (dad/mom) kind of made it easier because they didn't really follow much of anything else.

2. You started off being a forward, and then ended up playing at left-back—how exactly did that happen?

There were a lot of strikers at the club while I was there and I was quite far down the pecking order (Henry, Bergkamp, Van Persie, Wiltord, Aliadiere, etc...). Mr. Wenger was watching training one day and recommended I be tried at left back. I trained in the position for a couple of days, and then played against Watford in the reserves that week. After that, I made the left back position my own in the reserves and stayed there through the following year at Arsenal and for the rest of my time in England.

3. How did the move to Arsenal come about? 

I was seen at a college recruiting event here in the States called Adidas ESP. My coach was Paul Mariner and Bob McNab was also present at the camp. With their obvious connections to Arsenal, they made a phone call and Steve Rowley, the chief scout came out to North Carolina and watched me. Once the camp came to an end, I received a phone call from Steve and was on a plane to London for my trial a week later.

4. What did it feel like to meet a huge figure in football like Arsene Wenger so early in your career?

I spoke to him after I arrived in London, during my trial. Mr. Wenger is an incredible man and his knowledge of the game is unbelievable. I wish I were lucky enough to know exactly how he thinks about everything because its so evident as a fan of the club that his decisions always seem so spot on. It was pretty surreal meeting him. It was actually pretty surreal being at Arsenal on trial in the first place!

5. Your first goal for Arsenal—a wonderful finish against Manchester City—was engineered by one Cesc Fabregas; What did you think of him the first time you saw him play?

You could definitely tell Cesc was special, even when he was training with the reserves and youth team in his first year at Arsenal. He was never the fastest on the field, but his mind worked ten times quicker than anyone else's mind. His passing ability, touch, vision, creativity, and intelligence are unparalleled, and it makes him a joy to watch every weekend.

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