Yasin Ayari feels “ready” to kick on in his development at Brighton & Hove Albion.
His substitute appearance in the 1-1 draw at Arsenal marked just Ayari’s sixth Premier League appearance for Brighton, following his move from AIK in January 2022.
The 20 year-old however missed a late opportunity to snatch a comeback win for Brighton, which left him disappointed to had not taken his chance.
“I should score,” commented Ayari post-match. “If I see him [Raya], that he’s on the left side, I’ll just put it on the right. But in those moments everything goes so quickly and I thought he was running to the first post, so I thought I would put it on the second.”
Ayari nevertheless was happy to have achieved his longest period of playing time in a single game for Brighton, having replaced James Milner just 17 minutes into the match.
“It was fun. I really enjoyed it. I came off the bench earlier, but I’m ready, I’m always ready, I train hard every day to be ready for these chances and I think I took it.
“Every training session I train like I’m going to start. Every time when I’m on the bench I try to see the opponent, how they play, the guy I’m playing against, how he’s moving. I prepare every time the day before, look at some videos and everything. I’m always prepared.”
Last season saw Ayari join Coventry then Blackburn on loan with just one goal in 22 total appearances, which didn’t faze the youngster who believed that he was able to learn from the loan experiences.
“Maybe it wasn’t the best loan spell if you talk about the performance on the pitch but I think I’ve developed so much outside the pitch, my mentality and how it is to live outside of Brighton, outside of my family and everything.
“Now when I came back I feel more prepared, I feel like a man, I feel like I’m ready now to take the next step.”
Ayari also credited new Head Coach, Fabian Hürzeler for his progress since returning to the club in pre-season, as he praised the 31 year-old for having belief in him.
“He just believes in me, he thinks I’m doing a good job and I just have to keep going. We have a lot of good players in the squad but when you get a chance you have to prove that you want to play.
“I will do my thing, I will work as hard as possible. When I get my chances like today, I will try to show that I want to play and then we’ll see how far it goes.
“I always think that if I get the chance, if I get the opportunity, I will show that I’m a good player because I believe in myself. Now I’m getting the chances when people are not here and I think I’m taking them.”
Ayari also noted the difference between Hürzeler and ex Head Coach, Roberto De Zerbi, as he praised the US-born German citizen for bringing “more intensity” especially in terms of the pressing which the squad adapted well to.
“I think when he came in with this, everyone picked it up quickly and I think you can see it on the pitch also. It’s a good thing he came in.”
Looking ahead to the rest of this season, Ayari is glad that Hürzeler is keen for him and his teammates to challenge top teams moving forward.
“He said the clear target is to challenge the establishment. We’ve played now against United, we won against them, we played today against Arsenal, we drew.
“I think we just have to keep going. We don’t think about anything else than us and take one game at a time and one training at a time just to improve every day.”
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