Chuba Akpom
Chuba Akpom says he is desperate to break into Arsenal's first team.

Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom has revealed that the club's pre-season tour has given him extra motivation to push for first-team experience this season as the teenager got first hand experience of the club's worldwide support.

Akpom, who has been starring in the Gunners' youth sides, has been handed a chance to shin during the pre-season tour of Asia this month, and the 17 year old particularly impressed in the final game where he scored the winner in the side's 2-1 victory over Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds.

And as Arsenal return from their pre-season trip Akpom says he wants to make his mark on the senior side more than ever after experiencing just how big the north London club is across the globe.

"It was a good experience," he told the Arsenal website. "It's new for me because I'd never been to Asia and I'm not really around the first team. I had never really travelled with them [before].

"I would like to do it more, so hopefully if I keep working hard and stay in the team [I can do it]. Now I know how they live, how they train and everything, and I'm kind of getting used to it. Hopefully I can stay here and keep coming on tours like this."

He continued: "It motivates me. When you come out here and you see all of this, you want it yourself. You want people to be screaming your name and you want people to respect you. It makes me want to push more to get into the first team and get the same reputation that they have."

Arsenal have so far only made one signing this summer in the form of French youngster Yaya Sanogo and Wenger has often favoured handing his younger players a chance to step up over signing big names.

The side are currently pursuing Luis Suarez, but as Wenger looks to create more depth for a busy schedule next season, Akpom may well be handed more opportunities after an impressive pre-season.