After making his first team debut in the Champions League match against Olympiakos earlier this week, we thought it’d be a good time to speak to 18 year-old Arsenal star Tom Cruise. We managed to squeeze in one question about his famous namesake with the Umbro-wearing left-back, read on to see what he had to say…

How did it feel to make your debut on such a big stage?

‘It was a great feeling to be picked in the squad, especially with it being in the Champions League. I’ve been injured for most of the season, this was one of my first games back really, so it was a big game for me to come back in for. I thought I did ok though, Arsene said he was happy with my performance, so I’m happy with that.’

When did you find out that you’d be starting?

‘In training the day before, we were doing the team shapes for the game and I was chosen to go in at left back, so I had a feeling then that I might be starting. Then the morning of the game the squad was named and I was in there.’

Did the manager give you any advice before the game?

‘He didn’t give us any individual advice, but we did have a meeting as a group where he just told us to go out there and enjoy ourselves on the pitch and play our normal game. ‘

Are you an Arsenal fan?

‘I only live about ten minutes from the ground, so they’re my local team, and I’ve supported them since I was young. So have all my family, so my dad’s really happy for me.’

What are your ambitions for the rest of the season?

‘Now I’m back with the reserves training, hopefully I’ll do well there, try hard in training and try to impress everyone when I’m playing, and hopefully get another chance in the team.’

Who’s the hardest player to play against in training?

‘In training I normally mark Theo Walcott, and his pace is unbelievable. He’s pretty tricky to mark. Or Nasri, he’s pretty tricky, got quick feet. With Walcott, if you get tight to him he can just spin and get past you, but if you give him too much space he’s going to run at you, so you have to get tight to him, but not too much. With Nasri, you can afford to give him a bit more space, he isn’t as fast as Walcott but you’ve got to watch out because he’s tricky.’

What about away from football…what was the last gig you went to?

‘Michael Buble’

What was the last song you had on your iPod?

‘Jay-Z – ‘Empire State Of Mind’

Have you ever tweaked your stats on Football Manager?

‘Yeah, all the time. But I normally stick myself upfront.’

FIFA or Pro Evo?

‘Pro Evo. I’m on FIFA though – I usually put myself and Van Persie up front.’

And finally, are you a fan of the other Tom Cruise?

‘I haven’t watched too many of his films actually, I think jerry Maguire is the only one I’ve seen. My favourite actor is probably Robert De Niro.’