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JP
Your debut for Carlisle United, how did you find that today?
TC
It was a good game, it was good to get the first game for Carlisle, definitely a change from the normal football I am playing. More physical, but it was a good result for the boys and a good game.
JP
When you did get wind of this move? I am led to believe it was a link between Graham Kavanagh and Liam Brady that originally set it up?
TC
Yeah, they are good friends because they are Irish and are in the Irish set-up. Liam obviously said that I would be a good asset for Carlisle and as soon as I heard there was interest in me I wanted to play and improve and get some football under my belt, so I think it was a good move.
JP
And some fans like myself will have seen you play against Olympiacos, you have just reminded me, I knew it was in the Champions League, but couldn't remember who it was against. What was that like as an experience?
TC
It was a very good experience, my first game for Arsenal, it was a very hostile crowd but I enjoyed that. It was a very good day, Champions League so you can't complain.
JP
You can't, what has it been like growing up in that wonderful stable of talent under Arsene Wenger at the Emirates?
TC
Yeah, it is very good, I am a local boy as well, I just live around the corner from the Emirates and it is great to play with those kinds of players every day. Even when I see them in the changing rooms or when I am in the gym I am still starstruck sometimes. You can only benefit from playing with players like that every day, and it is good.
JP
Who is the best then that you see in there? We know what we see on the pitch, (Robin) van Persie always looks technically very good, but who is the best in training? Who is the most skilful Gunner?
TC
Er, I would probably have to say (Cesc) Fabregas. He is one of the best players in the world and he proves it every game he plays. Just playing with players like him, (Samir) Nasri, van Persie, all those kinds of players, it is just unbelievable.
JP
What did you make of it today then? A competitive debut for Carlisle United, of course you have made your debut for Arsenal as we have mentioned there, but how was it to get out there involved in some real football as opposed to the reserves I guess you have been in most?
TC
It is a different kind of style of football, it is more physical playing in these kinds of games. But, I am a young player and I want to play in these kinds of games, it is only going to benefit me in my career. Hopefully I can adapt to it and play well in the next month.
JP
And you have got this month's loan with Carlisle, I am sure you are aware, I am sure they have told you that they need a left-back with Sean McDaid's injury. Would you be happy too from what you have seen stay on longer if Carlisle United and Arsenal were in agreement on that?
TC
Yeah, of course, I have just come back from injury so I have got to get some games under my belt. I know Carlisle have got a few games coming up this month and if I can prove to the manager that I am doing a good job then I have got no reason why not to stay.
JP
And just finally, you must tell us, you must have heard all of the jokes about your name over the years. What is the best one you have heard and are there any that you perhaps haven't with having the name Tom Cruise?
TC
I don't think there are any that I haven't heard. As soon as I walked into that changing room I got some stick from the boys, Greg (Abbott) said about cocktails, Hollywood, the list never ends.
JP
When you signed you were the top Gunner coming into Carlisle United, I bet you hear that one plenty as well?
TC
Yeah, Top Gun, Mission Impossible is quite a popular one as well.