Armstrong Reveals Everton Aims & Reflects On Progression

Harrison Armstrong says he’s learning “something new every day” in and around Everton’s Senior Team, revealing he wants to make a big impact for the Blues in Premier League matches.

The 17-year-old earned his third league appearance of the season on Saturday, playing all of the second half during a 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

Armstrong, operating in an advanced-midfield role, helped the Toffees to put up an improved second-half display, before the hosts found a winner through David Brooks’ first-time volleyed effort.

“Obviously, it's disappointing but it's not down to a lack of effort,” said Armstrong, reflecting on the loss while speaking to evertontv after the game. “I think sometimes it just needs to click, and it probably just didn't click today. But I don't think, like I said, it's not down to a lack of effort or players not giving 100 per cent.

“In the first half, they came out quite quickly and we probably, in the first half, didn't really live up to that. The changes were made and in the second half, we probably came out a bit quicker and had a bit more energy about us, but obviously, not enough.

“I'm thankful for the minutes and opportunities that I'm getting, but we know as a team that it needs to get better.”

Last season, Armstrong – now an England Under-18s international – was a first-year scholar with Leighton Baines’ Everton Under-18s but soon impressed enough to make his Under-21s debut after just a few months.

His sharp trajectory has continued, with the young midfielder now enjoying regular training minutes with the Senior Team, as well as being named in all of Sean Dyche’s Premier League squads for this term.

Eager to keep developing, he reflected on the past 12 months, explaining: “I think the aim was really not to put a limit on myself and obviously I wanted to establish myself as an Under-21s player, but if there was an opportunity to move up, I wanted to grab it with both hands.

“I think I have done that, but like I said, there's a long way to go. I need to keep my standards in training, and when I do come on in games, have an impact.

“I think I've still got a long way to go before I can say I'm comfortable but obviously it's a step in the right direction, so with more minutes, more game time, hopefully I can say I am.

“I just want to stay in and around the first team. I think, every day, I'm learning something different. I'm getting better and better each day, so [I want to be] staying in and around them and hopefully get as much game time with them as possible.”

Next up, Everton return to Goodison Park, facing Peterborough United in the third round of the FA Cup.

Armstrong recognises the Blues need to deliver an improved performance.

“I think we've got to dust ourselves down pretty quick,” he added. “It moves really quick at the top level, so we can't really dwell on it for too long. We've just got to get ourselves back in training, back to the high standard. It’s a big game on Thursday.”