Shown real unity and determination in our last Premier League 2 outing, our Under-21s battled until the final whistle as Jesse Derry’s 86th-minute strike secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Burnley - our fourth victory from six league fixtures this season.

• Get your ticket for Chelsea Under-21s vs Arsenal at Kingsmeadow here

That was followed by a narrow 2-1 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in the Premier League International Cup, settled by a stoppage-time goal, which left the group determined to respond positively. Harrison was then among eight members of the Under-21s squad involved in midweek, when Calum McFarlane's Under-19s produced a bold 6-3 win over Ajax in the UEFA Youth League, underlining the team's resilience, character and togetherness.

Now, attention turns back to Premier League 2 action, and what better way to resume than with a fiercely contested London derby? We take on Arsenal at Kingsmeadow at 1pm on Saturday, with free tickets still available here for season ticket holders, members and supporters under 20 until midday today.

Harrison, who stepped up to the Under-21s full-time this season after captaining our Under-18s under Hassan Sulaiman in 2024/25, is aiming to help the Blues build momentum by making it back-to-back league victories.

‘I think me and all the boys are really looking forward to the game on Saturday,’ Harrison began. ‘We’re aiming to build some good form again in the Premier League 2. We started the season really well, had a little blip for a couple of games, but we’re focused on getting back to winning ways and finishing the year strongly.

‘A London derby always has that extra edge. The games are always a bit more intense and you can feel it from the first whistle. There’s that added motivation because it means a lot to the club, the supporters and all of us players. We’re buzzing for it and we know it’ll be a great challenge.’

In the build-up to the Arsenal clash, leadership has been a key focus for Harrison and a number of players across the Academy. It’s an area the midfielder has embraced, drawing on the experience of captaining the Under-18s in both league matches and the FA Youth Cup in the previous campaign.

‘This season we’ve got a leadership group that was set up by the staff,’ the 18-year-old continued. ‘We have regular chats with the coaches, and if Calum has anything he wants passed on, we’ll share that with the lads ourselves, so it doesn’t always have to come directly from staff. It’s about taking responsibility, keeping standards high and making sure we’re all pushing each other.

‘If things drop off a bit, we step in as a group to lift the standards again. It’s been a great addition this season and I’ve really enjoyed taking on that responsibility.

‘It’s not just about leading on the pitch. Off the pitch, we try to bring everyone together and keep the same mindset going into games and training. It’s helped me mature a lot - learning to communicate more, to support others and to keep the group focused.’

On the topic of leadership, we asked Harrison if there was anyone in particular he looked up to, as he continues his development both on and off the pitch at Chelsea.

‘I think Reece James is a huge example. The way he’s stepped up as club captain has been unbelievable. When we go over and train with the men’s team, he always checks in with everyone, makes sure we’re comfortable and confident.

'He’s a top player but also just a top person. That’s something I really look up to and try to learn from, how he leads by example every day.

‘Seeing his pathway is also inspiring for all of us Academy boys. It shows there’s a real route here and we’ve seen it first-hand. It shows what hard work, dedication and talent can achieve. Overall, he’s a huge role model for sure.’

Having those influential figures around the Academy only adds to the sense of progress and development that defines life at Cobham. With the Academy’s rich history of producing top graduates, it continues to be the perfect environment for young players to grow.

‘It’s been a busy last couple of weeks for sure, but that’s part of football at this level,’ Harrison reflected. ‘You look at the top players, they play every few days, so it’s a great test for us to experience that now. It pushes you physically and mentally, but it also helps you prepare for what’s to come later in your career.

‘Personally and as a team, we want to take three points and get back into a good run of form. Performances have been good, but it’s about turning that into wins now. Hopefully that can help push us towards those play-off places and to challenge for the league.

‘For me, it’s about maintaining consistency. Performing every week and showing leadership in every situation. I want to keep improving technically and mentally. I want to continue to be someone the coaches and the lads can rely on.

‘At the end of the day, I just want to keep progressing, help the team and put myself in the best possible position for the next step in my career.’

Get your tickets!

There is still time to secure your seat at Kingsmeadow to see our Under-21s take on Arsenal in Premier League 2 action this Saturday, with a 1pm kick-off.

Tickets are available here and all Chelsea season ticket holders (for both our men's and women's teams), members and supporters under 20 can claim a free ticket until midday on Friday 24 October.

General sale tickets will remain on sale after that time, priced at £4 each.