Sydney FC goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne never expected to face Arsenal in his lifetime, let alone try to stop the club's $79-million striker.
The Gunners landed on Tuesday in Sydney, ready to start their English Premier League pre-season tour against A-League sides Sydney FC and Western Sydney.
Thursday night will be particularly poignant for Redmayne, who trialled at Arsenal for two weeks as a 16-year-old after an impressive tour of England with the NSW Institute of Sport.
The north London club extended an offer to Redmayne but subsequently retracted it when they signed Polish 15-year-old Wojciech Szczesny.
"I had a great experience there and it's one I look back on very fondly," Redmayne said on Tuesday.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"Everything in life happens for a reason, I believe, and here we are now."
The Sky Blues' shot-stopper said he was not nervous, nor was he out to get even.
Rather, Redmayne is ready to face the professionalism and pace of a club that has cemented itself in his mind.
"I think for any player that didn't have that experience, it's still a surreal experience playing, walking out on the field with a team with such calibre and high stature as Arsenal," he said.
He'll come face to face with the club's most-expensive signing in history, Alexandre Lacazette, after confirmation the French striker will make his club debut at ANZ Stadium.
"Any player that pulls on the Arsenal jersey is going to be a high-quality player, and he's no exception," Redmayne said.
"It's an exciting prospect and it's something I'm very much looking forward to."
